During a burglary investigation in Upland, police uncovered an unusual target of theft: not cash or jewelry, but thousands of dollars in collectible figurines. Chino police announced Monday that they seized 14 boxes containing $30,000 worth of Labubu, the popular furry collectibles, from a residence. The seizure was part of an investigation into a series of thefts from a local warehouse.
Labubu figurines, a product of the Chinese-based company Pop Mart, have surged in popularity, often inciting a frenzy upon new releases. Sold through timed online events for in-store pickup, the collectibles command high prices on the secondary market. Limited-edition versions can sell for $150, while media reports noted one child-sized Labubu fetched $150,000 at auction.
Inside the Upland home, investigators discovered a sophisticated operation to resell and ship the stolen figurines nationwide. Officials reported that one suspect attempted to flee but was taken into custody. The recovered Labubu have since been returned to the warehouse.
The high value of the toys has made them a growing target for thieves in Southern California. Last week, a La Puente business, One Stop Sales, was burglarized after advertising its Labubu stock online. The thieves stole multiple boxes of merchandise, including the coveted figurines. According to the shop’s owners, some of the stolen items were later recovered by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
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