A high-stakes smash-and-grab theft in Irvine, California, serves as a stark reminder that thieves will target anything they deem valuable. The Surge in Pokémon Card Theft Across California and the U.S. This incident is not an isolated crime but part of a massive, ongoing nationwide trend of organized trading card thefts. Treat your trading cards like cash or fine jewelry and carry them with you at all times. To recover losses from property theft, individuals must look to their renters or homeowners insurance policies.