Initial Report and Viral Spread
Police in Santa Ana, California estimate that more than $963,000 in collectible trading cards was stolen from a FedEx truck outside of PSA’s Santa Ana headquarters.
The theft went viral in mid-October after several card collectors reported that they had received emails from PSA (Professional Sports Authenticator) stating that a FedEx truck carrying their collections had been burglarized.
One of the most prominent voices in this conversation was a collector by the screen name SKY-B, who claimed that more than $100,000 worth of cards that he’d hand-delivered to PSA at a card show for grading were now lost in the ether.
"We will compensate you for the items from your order that were involved, which is based on fair market value up to the Maximum Insured Value ("MIV") you selected for each item." @natsturner, I pray you handle this and take care of everyone affected in the most professional manner possible. I have an awful feeling PSA is going to be extremely unfair on what the values of these cards are.
Company Responses
PSA responded to the situation in a statement, outlining their plans to refund the affected customers and cooperate with both FedEx and law enforcement to investigate the burglary.
Police Confirm Details
A day later, Santa Ana police released a statement about the theft, as well as the dollar amount that was stolen — which was far more than originally calculated.
The theft occurred on October 13 outside of PSA’s headquarters in Santa Ana, California when a FedEx driver reportedly left their truck parked nearby for around 60 to 90 minutes. The thieves were able to break the truck’s lock and make off with the packages stored inside during this time.
According to police, two pallets holding an estimated 100 packages were stolen, as well as a third pallet carrying around 50 packages. Law enforcement officials estimate that the total dollar amount of the first two pallets adds up to around $963,000. No dollar amount has yet been calculated for the third pallet, but it is likely that the total damage will exceed $1 million.
The Santa Ana Police Department informed The Athletic that the stolen pallets contained various trading cards, including sports cards and Pokémon cards. They added that the exact value of the stolen items is still pending further investigation, which remains ongoing.
FedEx and PSA Statements
FedEx also released a statement, saying “the security of our customers’ shipments is a top priority, and we are working with local law enforcement in their investigation.”
PSA, for its part, has promised to refund customers “based on fair market value up to the Maximum Insured Value" of their cards and has deactivated the certificates of the stolen items.
“We understand the impact this has on collectors involved, many of whom see these cards as far more than a financial asset. Our team is focused on supporting them. We take this incident seriously, and we will continue working with law enforcement to hold those responsible accountable,” PSA stated.
Image Credits: Marcin Golba/NurPhoto via Getty Images
