In a swift and successful investigation, Sussex Police have reunited a rare Pokémon card, valued between £20,000 and £30,000, with its rightful owner after it was stolen in Heathfield.
The incident began when a Pokémon card grading company in Heathfield reported the theft on 21 October. The company, which evaluates cards’ conditions to assess their market value, had shipped the high-value Charizard card back to its owner in Essex, only for it to go missing. Suspicions were raised when the same card appeared for sale on Facebook.
Police launched an investigation, led by the Initial Investigation Team, a dedicated group of officers and staff handling early enquiries. By swiftly tracing the card’s whereabouts, the team identified a 23-year-old man from Polegate as the main suspect. The man was arrested at his home on 27 October on suspicion of theft. During a property search, officers successfully recovered the stolen card.
Following a voluntary interview, the suspect confessed to the theft and expressed remorse for his actions. In light of his admission and cooperation, he received a caution, and the rare Charizard card was returned to its grateful owner.
Police Constable Alan Russell, the officer handling the case, commented on the team’s swift action: “We identified a line of enquiry quickly and were able to act decisively. It was a valuable item, cherished by the victim, who is relieved to have it back. Our teams collaborated efficiently to solve this case.”
