Florida Man Uses Chainsaw to Break Into Store, Steals $12K in Pokemon Cards
A West Palm Beach, Florida man is facing burglary and theft charges after he allegedly used a battery-powered chainsaw to cut through a hurricane-proof window and make off with roughly $12,000 worth of Pokémon cards from a Lake Park retail store.
Clayton Warren, 33, was arrested following an investigation by the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office after the owner of Collection Realm in Lake Park reported an overnight break-in on May 21. Surveillance footage captured a man cutting a triangular opening into the store’s reinforced front window using a battery-powered chainsaw. Blood was left at the scene, and investigators noted the suspect had initially attempted to break the glass with a rock before turning to the power tool.
Surveillance Footage, License Plate Reader Lead to Arrest
Investigators reviewing the footage also identified a man matching Warren’s appearance inside the store two days before the break-in, on May 19 — suggesting the suspect may have conducted reconnaissance ahead of the theft. The store’s owner, after reviewing surveillance footage, estimated the stolen merchandise — including sleeved individual cards and bulk bonus cards — at approximately $12,000.
Law enforcement used a license plate reader to trace a vehicle captured on surveillance cameras back to a West Palm Beach address registered to Warren. Authorities obtained a search warrant and arrested him at that residence.
Warren now faces charges of burglary of an unoccupied structure and grand theft in the amount greater than $10,000 but less than $20,000.
A Reminder That Theft Has Real Consequences for Small Businesses
The case highlights an ongoing challenge for small specialty retailers, where high-value collectibles such as trading cards have become increasingly attractive targets for theft. Pokémon cards have surged in value over the past several years, with rare and graded cards sometimes commanding thousands of dollars individually and bulk collections representing significant inventory investment for shop owners.
The elaborate method used in this case — employing a chainsaw on impact-resistant glass — underscores the lengths some thieves will go to bypass modern commercial security measures, even at the risk of leaving behind physical evidence like blood and a traceable vehicle.
While this incident took place in Florida, property crime remains a concern across communities nationwide, including here in East Idaho. Bonneville County residents dealing with local public safety matters are encouraged to report suspicious activity to law enforcement promptly. For other recent local incidents, see our report on a man arrested after allegedly fleeing the scene of a serious crash and leaving an injured woman behind.
What Comes Next
Warren is expected to face prosecution on the burglary and grand theft charges in Palm Beach County. If convicted on the grand theft count alone — which covers stolen property valued between $10,000 and $20,000 — he could face significant prison time under Florida law. The investigation by the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office appears to have moved quickly from report to arrest, aided substantially by surveillance video and license plate reader technology.