Santa Ana, California — Trading cards and collectibles estimated to be worth nearly $1 million have been stolen from a FedEx truck parked outside a Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA) facility in Southern California, and police say the total value of the missing items could be even higher.
The theft occurred on October 13 at a location on East St. Andrew Place in Santa Ana. According to the Santa Ana Police Department, approximately two pallets of trading cards were taken, while a third pallet was disturbed during the incident.
The stolen shipment included Pokémon cards and sports trading cards. Investigators are still determining the full value of the missing collectibles, how many individual cards were involved and how long the truck may have been left unattended.
Trading Cards Worth $963,000 Reported Stolen
Santa Ana police initially estimated the value of the stolen cards at approximately $963,000, based on the information available when the incident was reported.
However, additional investigative work has led authorities to believe the total value could be higher. The department has not yet established a final figure.
Natalie Garcia, a spokesperson for the Santa Ana Police Department, told that officers responded after trading cards were reported missing from a FedEx truck parked outside the card grading company’s facility.
The shipment contained a variety of collectibles, including sports cards and Pokémon cards. Such items can carry substantial market value, particularly when they are rare, professionally graded or highly sought after by collectors.
Police have not released a complete inventory of the missing cards, so it remains unclear which specific collectibles were taken.
How the Theft Was Discovered
According to Garcia, the driver noticed that the truck’s lock was missing. When the driver opened the vehicle, its contents appeared to have been disturbed.
Investigators determined that two pallets had been taken in their entirety, while boxes were removed from a third pallet.
Each pallet contained approximately 100 cases, according to police. However, officials do not yet know how many individual trading cards were packed inside those cases.
The missing inventory could therefore involve a substantial number of collectibles, but authorities have not confirmed the exact quantity.
Investigators are also working to establish how long the truck was left unattended before the theft was discovered. That timeline could help police reconstruct the incident and identify potential leads.
Why the Parking Lot Is Part of the Investigation
The FedEx truck was parked in an open lot outside the PSA facility in Santa Ana. Garcia described the location as private property that is accessible to the public.
Although security guards are present at the business, the parking lot is not enclosed by a gate, according to the police spokesperson.
Authorities have not publicly identified any suspects or explained how the stolen shipment was removed from the property.
The investigation remains active, and police have not announced any arrests. The missing trading cards have also not been recovered.
FedEx and Collectors Are Cooperating With Police
FedEx confirmed that it is cooperating with investigators following the theft.
“The security of our customers’ shipments is a top priority, and we are working with local law enforcement in their investigation. Further questions should be referred to local investigators,” a FedEx spokesperson said in a statement.
Collectors, the company behind PSA, also confirmed that it was aware of the theft involving PSA-graded items transported by a third-party shipping vehicle.
The company said it was working with law enforcement and the carrier as investigators continued examining the incident.
In a statement posted online, Collectors said it had deactivated the certificates associated with the stolen items and notified marketplace partners to watch for rare and serialized collectibles that could be offered for sale.
“We have deactivated the certificates for the stolen items and notified marketplace partners so they can be on the lookout for rare and serialized items,” Collectors said in its statement. “Our customer service team has contacted affected customers directly and is arranging compensation based on fair market value.”
The company also acknowledged that the missing cards could represent more than a financial loss for their owners.
“We understand the impact this has on collectors involved, many of whom see these cards as far more than a financial asset,” Collectors said. “Our team is focused on supporting them.”
Investigation Continues as Stolen Cards Remain Missing
The theft has raised concerns for affected collectors while investigators work to determine the full extent of the loss.
With the cards’ exact quantity and total value still uncertain, the initial estimate of $963,000 may not reflect the final amount. Police have not provided a timeline for completing the investigation or recovering the shipment.
The deactivation of certificates and notifications to marketplace partners could help flag some of the stolen collectibles if they surface in resale channels. However, authorities have not confirmed whether any of the missing cards have been located.
The Santa Ana Police Department is asking anyone with information about the theft to contact the department.
What do you think should happen to protect valuable trading card shipments during transport? Share your thoughts in the comments, especially if you collect Pokémon cards or sports memorabilia.
