A Sweetwater smoke shop owner is asking the public to help identify a man seen on surveillance video stealing more than a dozen packs of Pokémon cards without paying.
The theft happened Saturday night at SNS Smoke Shop, at 10362 W. Flagler St., according to owner Alexis Jaspe. Footage shows the man approaching a shelf while another customer was completing a cash transaction. He placed a backpack on the shelf, swept several packs into it and walked out. He dropped one pack as he left, picked it up and kept going.
Jaspe said he believes the man was after the collectible cards because he assumed they were valuable. The packs, however, are among the shop’s cheapest items at $7.50 each. Nearby Pokémon products sell for between $80 and $350. Jaspe estimated the total loss at less than $120.
Jaspe said he has filed a report with the Sweetwater Police Department. He declined to appear on camera but said he wants the suspect caught before he hits another business. Anyone who recognizes the man is urged to contact police.
