VISALIA, Calif. (FOX26) — A man suspected of stealing Pokémon cards at gunpoint was arrested following a robbery at an ARCO AM/PM in Visalia.
The incident occurred on Friday morning at the convenience store located on North Dinuba Boulevard.
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Police said a man entered the store and stole a display case containing an estimated 100 to 120 packs of Pokémon cards, valued at around $1,000.
Witnesses said that as the suspect left the store.
Employees followed him to his vehicle, and that’s when they say he lifted his shirt to show a firearm tucked in his waistband.
The employees backed off and called 911.
The Visalia Police Department’s Violent Crimes Unit identified the suspect as 30-year-old Michael Baker of Fresno.
Detectives discovered Baker had been involved in similar thefts of Pokémon cards from multiple businesses in the Fresno area.
Officers with the McFarland Police Department in Kern County arrested Baker on Sunday.
He was taken to Visalia for questioning and booked into the Tulare County Adult Pre-Trial Facility for armed robbery.
This remains an active investigation.
Businesses that believe they may have been targeted by this suspect are encouraged to contact Detective Sam Gonzales at 559-713-4576. To provide information anonymously, call 559-713-4738.
