Pokémon Card Heist: Shocking $30,000 Theft in Saint-Alexis

In a crime that sounds more like a movie plot than a local news report, a specialized hobby shop in Saint-Alexis became the target of a daring and violent robbery. A man from Blainville was recently arrested after stealing an estimated $30,000 worth of rare Pokémon cards from the boutique MissingNo.

The Day the Cards Disappeared

The incident occurred on June 18th around 10:30 AM. According to witness accounts and surveillance footage, the suspect, identified as 32-year-old Dany El-Aawar, entered the store wearing a mask and carrying a hockey bag. The atmosphere quickly turned tense as the assailant brandished a handgun, ordering everyone inside to get on the ground.

Jean-François Hétu, co-owner of MissingNo, described the harrowing experience: “He came in with his balaclava and hockey bag. He pointed his gun at me. It was quite shocking.” Most distressingly, a 10-year-old child was present during the robbery, and the weapon was pointed dangerously close to the young customer during the confrontation.

A Bizarre Escape Attempt

To ensure a clean getaway and prevent bystanders from following him, the thief employed a strange tactic: spraying cayenne pepper across the front door as he exited the premises. This unusual detail added a layer of chaos to an already traumatic event for the staff and customers.

The Arrest and the Missing Loot

The victory for the thief was short-lived. Within just 10 minutes of the robbery, officers from the Sûreté du Québec (SQ) intercepted the suspect while he was driving an unregistered vehicle. However, a mystery remains: the stolen Pokémon cards were not found in the car, leading investigators to believe the thief may have had an accomplice waiting nearby.

Key details of the legal case:

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• Suspect: Dany El-Aawar, 32, from Blainville.
• Charges: Approximately 20 counts related to five armed robberies.
• Crime Spree: The robberies took place within a narrow two-month window (April 18 to June 18).
• Current Status: The suspect has been released with a promise to appear in court this September.

The Rising Value of Collectibles

This heist highlights the skyrocketing value of collectible trading cards. What may seem like “toys” to some are now high-value assets, making specialty shops targets for organized crime. For more information on how the market for Pokémon TCG has evolved into a multi-million dollar industry, collectors are encouraged to stay vigilant about security.

The community of Saint-Alexis and the team at MissingNo are now recovering from the shock, hoping that the stolen treasures are recovered and justice is served in the coming months.