Caught in the Wild: Chicago Man Arrested for Pokémon Card Crimes

A 23-year-old Chicago man is facing multiple felony charges after police say he targeted people selling Pokémon cards online and robbed them at gunpoint.

Anthony Garcia was arrested Tuesday in the 5200 block of South Troy Street and charged with five counts of armed robbery with a firearm.  Police say the robberies took place over several days in March in the Gage Park neighborhood.

Get our free mobile app

Caught in the Wild: Chicago Man Arrested for Pokémon Card Crimes

According to authorities, Garcia allegedly used Facebook Marketplace to arrange meetups with people selling Pokémon cards, lured the sellers into building lobbies, then whipped out a handgun and robbed the sellers.

Read More: Illinois Toll Scam Text Warning From Police 

Weirdly enough, he fled on foot.  He didn't even show up in a car.

“These were planned, targeted robberies,” a Chicago Police spokesperson said. “We encourage anyone selling items online to exercise caution and meet in safe, public locations.” [fox32]

Records show that Garcia has a criminal history.  He was previously arrested in August 2025 for retail theft and in 2020 for armed robbery involving a firearm.  Police say his prior record was considered during the investigation.

No injuries were reported during the robberies, and police are working to return the stolen items to the rightful owners.  Authorities are also reminding the public about the risks of selling high-value items on Facebook Marketplace, and online platforms alike, and urges them to use secure, monitored exchange locations whenever possible.

Read More: Secretary of State Sounds Alarm on New Text Scam Hitting Illinois 

Garcia is currently in custody, and his bond status has not been disclosed.  The Chicago Police Department says additional charges could be possible as the investigation continues.