Thief Tried To Steal $1.1K In Pokemon, Magic, Yu-Gi-Oh! Cards: Police

STAFFORD COUNTY, VA — A shoplifter tried to steal $1,100 in Pokemon, Magic, and Yu-Gi-Oh! trading cards from a Stafford County Target, authorities said.

The Stafford County Sheriff's Office identified the would-be thief as 33-year-old Stephen Philpott of Annandale. He is charged with grand larceny.

Philpott is being held without bond at the Rappahannock Regional Jail. If convicted, he could face up to 20 years in prison, based on Virginia's sentencing guidelines.

The incident started around 10:45 a.m. on Wednesday at the Target at 1090 Stafford Market Place. Employees told deputies that a man was shoplifting and was about the leave the store.

The deputies waited outside the Target as the shoplifter passed by the registers without paying, the sheriff's office said in a report. The deputies tried to stop him, but the suspect ran away.

"The fleeing suspect fled only a few feet before giving up and peacefully surrendering," the sheriff's office said. "Instead of being detained in a Pokeball, he was detained in handcuffs."

Authorities said the stolen good primarily consisted of Pokemon cards, Magic: The Gathering cards, and Yu-Gi-Oh! cards.

"There was no need to call Detective Pikachu, for the incident was all captured on camera. The over $1,100 worth of merchandise was recovered," the sheriff's office said. "Seeing the grand total activated Deputy Brook’s trap card to charge the 33-year-old with grand larceny."

In Virginia, any theft of more than $1,000 can result in a felony grand larceny charge, instead of a misdemeanor petit larceny charge.

Deputies also learned that Philpott was wanted in Prince William County and Stafford County for grand larceny and failure to appear.

"While Philpott attempted to gather, catch, and draw cards, he instead was able to gather, catch, and be dealt all his warrants," the sheriff's office said.