Queens Man Charged In Connection With Armed Robberies Of Collectible Pokémon Trading Cards From New York Stores

United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jay Clayton, and Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Division for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives ("ATF"), Bryan DiGirolamo, announced today the unsealing of a Complaint charging ANDY DAVID PALACIOS ORTIZ in a conspiracy to commit armed robberies in January 2026 of two New York stores that sold collectible Pokémon trading cards. PALACIOS was arrested today and presented before Magistrate Judge Barbara Moses.

"As alleged, Andy David Palacios Ortiz engineered and participated in brazen armed robberies in New York that resulted in the theft of over $100,000 in Pokémon cards, and terrified multiple store employees and customers," said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton. "Gun violence is a threat to the safety and security of our neighborhoods, and Palacios now stands charged with serious federal crimes. Would-be perpetrators should know: you cannot commit robberies against New Yorkers and get away with it."

"These alleged robberies were not simply thefts targeting collectibles-they were violent crimes that left victims fearing for their safety," said ATF Special Agent in Charge Bryan DiGirolamo. "The successful identification and arrest of dangerous offenders is only possible through close coordination between federal, state, and local law enforcement. Thanks to the hard work of ATF/NYPD Strategic Pattern Technical Apprehension Group (SPARTA), the NYPD's Manhattan and Queens Robbery Squads & the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York. We are committed to our shared mission to protect the public from violent crime."

As alleged in the Complaint unsealed today in Manhattan federal court:(1)

On or about January 9, 2026, multiple masked individuals entered a collectible trading card store in Queens, New York, brandished a gun at store employees and customers, and stole Pokémon cards and cash. Less than a week later, on or about January 14, 2026, multiple masked individuals entered a Pokémon trading card and merchandise store in lower Manhattan, New York, and held store employees and dozens of customers at gunpoint while they robbed the store of Pokémon cards and cash, including by using a hammer to break open a glass display case holding some of the store's most valuable Pokémon cards. The Pokémon merchandise stolen by the robbers in the two robberies is valued in excess of $100,000.

PALACIOS organized and participated in the commission of both robberies. In particular, PALACIOS helped plan the robberies by surveilling the stores, identifying the most valuable Pokémon cards inside, and communicating that information to his co-conspirators.

On or about January 12, 2026, two days before the Manhattan robbery, PALACIOS used his cellphone to take pictures or video of various items behind the glass display case where the robbery eventually took place, as shown in the surveillance images below.

PALACIOS also participated in the commission of the robberies by, among other things, recruiting another co-conspirator who drove the robbers to and from the robberies. PALACIOS also sold some of the stolen Pokémon cards after the robberies for thousands of dollars.

* * *

PALACIOS, 28, of Flushing, New York, has been charged with one count of Hobbs Act robbery and one count of Hobbs Act robbery conspiracy, each of which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.

The maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge.

Mr. Clayton thanked the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the New York City Police Department for their assistance in this case.

This case is being handled by the Office's General Crimes Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ariana Bloom and Samantha Fry are in charge of the prosecution.

The charges contained in the Complaint are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

1. ^

   As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the Complaint and the descriptions of the Complaint set forth herein constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.