Massachusetts man allegedly busted with huge haul of rare Pokemon cards after daring theft

A Massachusetts man has been arrested for allegedly stealing $113,000 worth of Pokémon cards and collectibles from a shop in a smash-and-grab heist.   

Richard Jovahn Nunes, 24, was taken into custody in Taunton on Monday and charged with six counts of receiving stolen property over $1,200, the New Bedford Police Department said. 

"I appreciate the support of the Taunton Police Department in helping bring this case to a successful resolution," said police Chief Jason Thody. "I also want to thank Detective Nicole Rodriguez for her solid investigative work and persistence in following up on leads that ultimately led to an arrest and the recovery of stolen property."

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The investigation into the theft began on July 8 when officers responded to a break-in at 1st Edition Collectible. 

Surveillance footage obtained by WPRI-TV shows someone wearing a hooded sweatshirt and a mask smashing through the glass front door. The suspect climbed through the shattered door and opened a display case before putting collectibles into a backpack and running back out the front door. 

The theft lasted around 30 seconds, the report states. 

On Monday, New Bedford police Detective Nicole Rodriguez got a lead after someone, later identified as Nunes, allegedly attempted to sell a Base Set Unlimited Green Wings Booster Box, valued at $30,000, which matched an item that was stolen during the burglary.

Later that day, Rodriguez was contacted by an unidentified location in Taunton that reported Nunes allegedly had tried selling Pokémon cards in a separate attempt, police said. 

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"Based on the rarity and value of the booster boxes involved, detectives determined that it was highly unlikely the same person would possess both without being connected to the original theft," a police statement said.

Nunes was arrested soon after. At the time, he had a warrant for a felony, police said. 

A search of an apartment where Nunes had been staying yielded a shoebox containing serialized and graded Pokémon cards matching those stolen from 1st Edition Collectibles, authorities said. 

The cards found in the apartment were identified as: 

In a Facebook post, 1st Edition Collectibles thanked the police and other collectible shops in the area. The store also announced that proceeds from sales of its "Comeback Collection T-shirts" will be donated to charity. 

"Crime Doesn’t Pay and Karma is Real," the post states. 

In Florida, a trading card shop took a big hit on Monday after a masked suspect broke into the business and stole nearly $30,000 worth of Pokémon cards. Within 75 seconds, a suspect stole between $25,000 and $30,000 worth of rare Pokémon cards, according to FOX 35 Orlando.

Food Network star Anne Burrell died by suicide at 55: medical examiner

Anne Burrell's death was ruled a suicide, Fox News Digital can confirm.

The New York Office of Chief Medical Examiner noted the celebrity chef's cause of death was acute intoxication due to the combined effects of diphenhydramine, ethanol, cetirizine and amphetamine.

Burrell was found unconscious and unresponsive inside her New York City home on the morning of June 17. The New York City Fire Department responded to a 911 call to a Brooklyn residence – one that matched Burrell's home address – about a reported cardiac arrest, the NYC Fire Department confirmed to Fox News Digital.

"Upon arrival, officers observed a 55-year-old female unconscious and unresponsive," the NYPD said in a statement at the time. "EMS responded and pronounced the female deceased at the scene."

FOOD NETWORK STAR ANNE BURRELL FOUND ‘UNCONSIOUS AND UNRESPONSIVE’ ONE DAY AFTER PERFORMING IMPROV SHOW

The Food Network confirmed Burrell's death in a statement shared with Fox News Digital.

"It is with deep sadness we announce that Anne Burrell, 55, passed away this morning at her home in New York," a spokesperson said. "With her trademark spiky blonde hair and sparkling personality, Anne Burrell was the hugely popular and fan favorite host of Food Network’s hit show, ‘Worst Cooks in America.’ Burrell was an industry veteran and passionate teacher who prided herself on her work in the culinary world."

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The evening before she was found, Burrell performed an improv show at The Second City New York in Brooklyn, according to People magazine

"Everyone said she was so great last night and so happy," a source told the outlet. 

A separate source who was with her at the improv show confirmed to People that she "was in great spirits last night … Typical fun, outgoing Anne, having a blast."

Everyone was "shocked and confused" because the late chef seemed fine when everyone left the show, the source added. 

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Burrell began her TV career in 2005 as a sous chef for Mario Batali in the premiere episode of "Iron Chef America." She later starred in her own cooking show, "Secrets of a Restaurant Chef." The show ran from 2008 to 2012.

The celebrity chef made frequent appearances on top Food Network shows, including "Chef Wanted," "Chopped" and "Food Network Star."

She notoriously co-hosted the hit show "Worst Cooks in America" for 27 seasons, from 2010 to 2024.

Fox News Digital's Christina Dugan Ramirez contributed to this report.

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