In recent years, we’ve seen everyone from Twitch streamers unboxing them live to collectors trading them for jaw-dropping sums, making the popularity of Pokémon cards undeniable. But with soaring demand has come an increase in related crimes – particularly theft. A recent incident in Calhoun County, Alabama, underscores just how intense the fan fervor around these collectibles has become.
On a seemingly regular evening, at around 7 p.m. on August 12th, 35-year-old Josh Dale Hardy, a correctional officer at the Calhoun County Jail, completed his shift. Still clad in his officer uniform, Hardy made his way to an Oxford Walmart. However, what he allegedly did next would lead to not only his arrest but also his termination from the County Jail.
WVTM 13 reports that Hardy, evidently thinking he had devised a clever plan, turned his work shirt inside out, though neglecting the fact that his star badge remained visible. What unfolded next is a sequence of events you’d only see in the movies. Surveillance cameras captured Hardy meticulously opening individual Pokémon TCG packs and discreetly pocketing select cards.
However, it didn’t take long for Walmart staff to realize the theft. When confronted by the loss prevention team, Hardy, in a rather cinematic turn of events, fled the scene on foot. Unfortunately, his escape was short-lived. Local authorities swiftly located him at a nearby restaurant, the stolen Pokémon cards still in his possession. By around 8 p.m., merely an hour after the alleged theft began, Hardy was arrested and taken to Oxford City Jail.
You’d think that after spending some time with people behind bars, Hardy would be smart enough to avoid being in the same position.
This is no solated incident. As with commodities that gains sudden and explosive popularity, Pokémon cards have also seen a rash of thefts across the globe. This isn’t all, but as some cars become more elusive, retail stores have had to take certain measures to prevent hoarding.
But perhaps what makes the recent Alabama case particularly startling is the involvement of a law enforcement officer. Calhoun County Sheriff Matthew Wade expressed his sentiment candidly, stating he was “embarrassed and infuriated” by Hardy’s actions.
In a subsequent press release, Sheriff Wade reiterated, “This is not a reflection on the other correctional officers that are dedicated to the Sheriff’s Office and working with honor and respect. I am deeply embarrassed and infuriated by the actions of this one person that has brought dishonor to the others that were supposed to be his extended family.”
The aftermath of this incident begs a crucial question: What draws individuals, especially those in positions of trust and authority, towards such risks for Pokémon cards? The game, which debuted over two decades ago, received a new lease on life during the pandemic. Streamers began unboxing cards, stoking the flames of nostalgia and introducing the game to an entirely new generation.
While it’s clear that the Pokémon Trading Card Game has made a significant cultural impact, it’s essential to think of the societal implications of its resurgence.
As Sheriff Wade promises transparency, it reminds us of the fine line between fandom and obsession, and how those we least expect can sometimes blur those boundaries.
Speaking of Pokémon, the most recent Pokémon Presents shed light on several upcoming projects, including Pokémon: Paldean Wind and Pokemon: Path to the Peak, among others. Finally, The Pokémon Company has admitted that it’s made adjustments based on the feedback it received from its most recent mainline releases.
