“Gotta Catch ’Em All” Goes Wrong: Pokémon Card Store Theft in Naples

In a shocking turn of events, Francisco Alvarez, a 34‑year‑old Bonita Springs resident and once‑friendly face at Gorka’s Poke Barn, was arrested after breaking into the North Naples Pokémon card store in the early hours of March 24. Deputies from the Collier County Sheriff’s Office say he cut power to the shop, used a grinder to force entry, disabled the security cameras, and fled with a black trash bag and backpack filled with over $15,000 worth of high‑value Pokémon cards and merchandise.

Pokémon Card store theft in Naples wasn’t just any robbery—it was especially unsettling because Alvarez was a regular customer. He even gave fake names to deputies before confessing, and selectively targeted top-tier cards, indicating he was well acquainted with the shop’s inventory . Store owner Justin Gorka recalled, “I knew him. He was here multiple times… when I had all three of my kids as well. It made the situation kind of awkward.” A frequent shopper, Dillon Gallegos, added:

"Turns out he wasn’t trying to open up packs with me, he was trying to open packs for free."

Alvarez now faces multiple serious charges—including burglary, grand theft over $20,000, possession of burglary tools, fraud, and utility tampering—and authorities allege he intended to resell the stolen haul utility tampering, Alvarez is alleged to have planned to resell the stolen products.

Got to catch 'em all: Suspect caught stealing Pokemon cards from North Naples store