Man Arrested Hiding Inside Best Buy Before New Pokemon Release

A 45-year-old California man was arrested early April 29 after police say he hid inside a Best Buy overnight in an attempt to get his hands on new Pokemon trading cards before the public release.

Officers responded to the store shortly after 1 a.m. when employees monitoring a live camera feed spotted a man still inside after closing. With help from staff, police entered the building and arrested Patrick Keys on suspicion of burglary, according to a report from NBC. The incident comes as demand for Pokemon cards continues to surge decades after the franchise first exploded in the 1990s. Some rare cards now sell for hundreds of thousands of dollars, and the growing resale market has fueled aggressive behavior from collectors and scalpers.

🚨 Pasadena, CA — A man allegedly hid INSIDE a Best Buy overnight for a Pokémon drop… and got arrested.

Employees spotted him on cameras after 1AM. Police responded.

Camping is one thing… but this?? 👀#PokeStreetz #BestBuy #PokemonTCG #TCGNews pic.twitter.com/ydFsY6u1CM

— PokéStreetz (@POKESTREETZ) April 30, 2026

Fans had been camping outside the store ahead of the highly anticipated “151” card release. Several people on site told NBC they were confused when police suddenly arrived, with one saying the situation escalated in less than 15 minutes after they stepped away briefly.

Witnesses believed the suspect was trying to bypass the line and secure the cards before other customers had a chance. The move reflects a broader trend, as competition for high-value collectibles continues to push some individuals to extreme actions.

While this case involved staying inside a retail store after hours, similar incidents have involved break-ins at card shops across the country. The ongoing craze shows no signs of slowing down, raising new concerns about safety and fair access for everyday fans.

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