An alleged thief has gotta catch ’em all, making off with a box of valuable Pokémon cards.

The arrest stems from a robbery that deprived the victim of a box of cards valued at $13,000, and during the investigation, police recovered a handgun and “AK-47-style rifle.”

On July 15, the Santa Clara Police Department (SCPD) arrested Joshua Olson, 20, and John Caswell, 59, at the intersection of Smith Avenue and Cherry Street in Newark, Calif.

Police charged Olson with robbing an adult victim on the 3000 block of Rivermark Plaza June 22.

Capt. Mike Crescini, SCPD’s acting public information officer, wrote in an email that the men stand accused of making off with a booster box of Pokémon cards, called Sun & Moon: Team Up. 

The 2019 set’s value primarily comes from one specific card: an alternate-art “Rainbow Rare” version of Pikachu & Zekrom-GX — an alternate-art card featuring both Pokémon. Only a small percentage of packs contain this rainbow-foil version, making it one of the most sought-after pulls from that era, driving the box’s high resale value on the secondary market. 

Police charged Olson with robbery.

According to California Penal Code, robbery is the felonious taking of property in another person’s immediate possession, against their will, through force or fear, with the intent to permanently deprive them of it.

During the investigation, police recovered a Glock and the rifle from one of Olson’s white Ford pick-up truck. Police did not recover the cards.

Caswell faces charges of carrying a concealed weapon, unlawfully carrying a loaded firearm in public, illegal sale of ammunition, manufacturing and importing, or otherwise dealing in a short-barreled rifle. 

Olson had multiple warrants out of Louisiana, Nevada and Arizona for robbery, theft and eluding police. In addition to the robbery charge, Olson faces charges of a concealed weapon in a vehicle, unlawfully carrying a loaded firearm, resisting arrest, a felon in possession of a firearm, threatening crime with the intent to terrorize and simple assault.

Crescini wrote that police were unable to provide the victim’s medical condition.

Collaboration between detectives and patrol officers allowed SCPD to arrest both men and book them into the Santa Clara County Jail, 150 W. Hedding St., in San Jose.

Contact David Alexander at d.todd.alexander@gmail.com 

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