Owner reunited with rare Pokémon card stolen in Heathfield

Sussex Police have reunited a rare Pokémon card worth up to £30,000 with its owner.

Police were called on 21 October by a company in Heathfield that grades Pokémon cards, a process to judge how valuable a card is worth, to a report that the valuable ‘Charizard’ card they sent back had not returned to its owner in Essex.

The theft is believed to have taken place between 2 and 5 September in Heathfield. 

It was then discovered that the same card was seen being sold on Facebook.

Following a swift investigation by the force, a 23-year-old man from Polegate was identified as a suspect and arrested at his address on 27 October, on suspicion of theft.

A search order was authorised on his property and officers found the rare card inside.

After a voluntary interview, the suspect admitted to stealing the card and showed remorse for his actions. 

The rare card, valued between £20,000 and £30,000, was returned to its owner.

The suspect was interviewed and admitted to stealing the card and received a caution.

The card grading firm in Heathfield supported the investigation and the suspect was not affiliated in any way. 

The investigation was launched by our Initial Investigation Team, a team formed of officers and staff to progress enquiries in the first instance.

A video appointment with the grading company was made on the day of the report, which led to the swift investigation and arrest of the suspect.

Police Constable Alan Russell, the officer who handled the initial investigation, said: “We identified a line of enquiry quickly and were able act quickly.

“It was a valuable item which meant a lot to the victim who had it stolen.

“The victim is happy that his card was returned and our teams worked really well together to solve this case.”