In Los Angeles, California thieves stole ₹26.23 lakh worth of Labubu dolls from a store.The crime involved a group of burglars who specifically targeted the highly sought-after viral monster toys.
The dolls and their spinoffs have become so popular that their theft is now raising concerns of a growing crime wave. In this article covers the details of the heist, the store owner’s reaction, police updates, and why Labubu dolls have become such a hot commodity.
The Heist: Targeted and Pre-Planned
The burglary happened shortly after the store announced a restock of Labubu dolls. Joanna Avendano, co-owner of One Stop Sales, told local media that the thieves took a large number of Labubu dolls. She estimates the loss at around $30,000 or more. She said the burglars worked hard to specifically steal the Labubus, ignoring other merchandise. The co-owner also suspects the break-in was carefully planned, especially since a suspicious truck was parked outside the store on the night of the crime. Joanna believes the burglars may have been watching the store’s social media to time the heist perfectly.
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Police Response and Investigation
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s department confirmed that they have launched an investigation. They found the van used by the thieves abandoned shortly after the crime. The sheriff’s office said that several boxes of Labubu dolls, valued at about $7,000, were taken in the burglary. Details on the exact number of stolen dolls remain unclear as the investigation continues.
Why Are Labubu Dolls So Valuable?
Labubu dolls are sold exclusively by Pop Mart. Each doll costs around $500 (₹43,730) on the official website. Their viral popularity has pushed demand sky-high. Many resellers now hike the prices by thousands of dollars, also creates a black market for the dolls but unfortunately, this market also includes fake Labubus, complicating matters for buyers. Celebrities like Rihanna and Lisa from Blackpink have endorsed these collectible monster dolls.
The Growing Concern Over Viral Toy Thefts
The Labubu theft in Los Angeles isn’t a one-off case. These cute, mischievous monster toys have become so popular that they’re now prime targets for thieves. With more and more thefts happening, it looks like a growing crime wave is taking aim at viral toys like these. Both store owners and collectors are increasingly worried about how safe their valuable and much-loved Labubu dolls really are.
