Detectives in Liverpool are investigating a robbery where two men were targeted for collectible Pokémon cards valued at approximately £7,000. The incident occurred in the early hours of Sunday, August 24, on Swindon Street in Kirkdale, after the victims travelled from Blackburn for a pre-arranged sale made through Facebook Marketplace.
Merseyside Police were called around 1:30 am following the report. The victims were allegedly confronted by a group of four men who took the high-value trading cards without payment after threatening one of the sellers. An active investigation is now underway to identify the individuals involved.
Key Takeaways
- Two men were robbed of Pokémon cards worth an estimated £7,000.
- The incident happened on Swindon Street, Kirkdale, around 1:30 am on Sunday, August 24.
- The sale was arranged via a now-deleted Facebook Marketplace account.
- The victims were confronted by four men, pushed, and threatened before the items were stolen.
- Merseyside Police are appealing for witnesses, CCTV, dashcam, and doorbell footage.
Details of the Arranged Sale
The two victims, who have chosen to remain anonymous, travelled from Blackburn to Liverpool to complete a sale organized on Facebook Marketplace. According to one of the victims, the arrangement was made with an account that has since been deleted. The contact number provided was a Pay As You Go mobile, making it difficult to trace.
The stolen goods included several sealed boxes of Pokémon cards, described as "untouched, collector's items." The total value of the collection is estimated to be around £7,000. The buyers reportedly claimed they needed the cards urgently for a show the following day and requested an evening delivery.
Online Marketplace Risks
Sales arranged through online platforms like Facebook Marketplace can carry risks. Police often advise users to meet in public, well-lit places during daylight hours, never go alone, and avoid carrying large amounts of cash or high-value items to unverified locations.
Confrontation in Kirkdale
Upon arriving at Swindon Street, the two sellers were met by two men. These individuals initially claimed they were waiting for a friend to arrive with the payment. They asked to inspect the Pokémon cards before completing the transaction.
The situation escalated when two more men appeared unexpectedly. One of the victims recounted the events, stating, "One of them became aggressive when I told him they couldn’t take the cards without paying." The encounter quickly turned violent.
"I followed them to the entrance, and they tried to shut the door on me. When I pushed back, one of them shoved me to the floor. I called the police, and that’s when one of them lifted his shirt as if he had a knife. As soon as I saw him pull his shirt up we just bolted for the car and drove off," the victim explained.
He described how the men attempted to lure him into a nearby block of flats, supposedly to check a label on the products. After being pushed to the ground, the victim's call to the police prompted one of the suspects to gesture as if he was armed, causing the sellers to flee for their safety.
The group then reportedly chased the victims to their car, kicking and hitting the windows as they drove away from the scene.
Incident Timeline: The events unfolded quickly after the victims arrived at the agreed location around 1:30 am. The confrontation, threats, and theft occurred within minutes, culminating in a chase as the victims escaped in their vehicle.
Police Investigation Underway
Merseyside Police have confirmed that an investigation has been launched into the robbery. A spokesperson stated that a report was received at approximately 1:30 am on Sunday, August 24, detailing the theft of several boxes of Pokémon trading cards on Swindon Street.
The official report notes: "It was reported that when the cards were delivered by the two victims to the property on Swindon Street they were confronted by a man who pushed and threatened one of them. The two victims then drove away from the property without receiving any payment for the cards."
Detectives are now carrying out enquiries in the Kirkdale area as they work to identify the four suspects involved in the incident. The focus is on gathering local evidence that could lead to their apprehension.
Public Appeal for Information
Detective Inspector Natalie Charlesworth is leading the appeal for public assistance. She emphasized the importance of any potential evidence from the local community that could help the investigation.
DI Charlesworth said: “We’re keen to speak to anyone who may have seen this incident or who lives locally in Kirkdale and may have captured images of the suspects on CCTV, dashcam or doorbell footage.”
She also urged anyone who has seen similar high-value Pokémon cards being sold in the area recently to come forward. Police believe the distinctive nature of the stolen items could help trace the offenders.
How to Report Information
Anyone with information related to this incident is encouraged to contact Merseyside Police through one of the following channels:
- Via X (formerly Twitter) at @MerPolCC.
- On Facebook at ‘Merseyside Police Contact Centre’.
- Through the Merseyside Police website's reporting tool.
- By calling 101 and quoting incident reference 25000700988.
Alternatively, information can be provided anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111 or visiting their website. In an emergency, always dial 999.