Police Seek Suspect Who Took Nearly $10,000 in Trading Cards From Tom Brady’s New SoHo Store

The New York City Police Department is looking for a man accused of stealing roughly $9,710 in collectible Pokémon and baseball cards from CardVault by Tom Brady, a recently opened trading-card shop in Manhattan’s SoHo neighborhood.

Incident overview

According to investigators, the theft occurred at approximately 11:40 a.m. on Oct. 20 inside the store at 395 Canal Street. Detectives said the suspect initiated a tap-to-pay transaction that was declined, then manually entered prompts on the point-of-sale terminal without the employee noticing. The manipulation allowed him to override the payment failure and leave with a selection of high-value cards without paying.

The NYPD classified the case as grand larceny and assigned it to the department’s Financial Crimes Task Force. In a complaint report, officers stated that the suspect “utilized a tap-to-pay account and then manipulated the POS system in order to obtain property without permission,” causing the loss of merchandise valued at $9,710.

Description of the suspect

Security footage released by police shows a man dressed in black clothing, a black New York Yankees cap, and carrying a multicolored bag. He was last seen walking south on Lafayette Street immediately after the incident. Investigators have not disclosed additional identifying details and are asking the public for assistance.

Anyone with information can contact NYPD Crime Stoppers by calling 1-800-577-TIPS for English or 1-888-57-PISTA for Spanish. Tips can also be submitted online through the New York City Police Department Crime Stoppers program.

Background on CardVault

The SoHo location opened on Oct. 8, less than two weeks before the theft. Tampa Bay Buccaneers legend Tom Brady acquired a 50 percent stake in CardVault in February, expanding his involvement in the collectibles industry. The company, founded in 2020, markets itself as a hub for buying, selling, trading, and grading sports cards and other memorabilia.

CardVault’s website states that the brand emphasizes community engagement, authenticity, and a premium customer experience. In addition to New York City, it operates stores in Dallas, Chicago, Boston, East Hampton, and several other cities. A new branch at the Mall of America in Bloomington, Minnesota, is scheduled to open Sunday, where Brady is expected to appear for a ribbon-cutting event.

Merchandise targeted

While the NYPD did not specify individual items taken, the total loss combines Pokémon and baseball cards—categories that can include rare pieces frequently valued in the thousands of dollars. The trading-card market has surged in recent years, with high-grade vintage and modern cards often sold at auction for significant sums. Because CardVault caters to collectors seeking graded or limited-edition products, many items inside the store carry elevated price tags, making them attractive targets for theft.

Imagem: Internet

Store response

CardVault management did not immediately comment on the incident. Employees present during the theft were not injured, and authorities have not reported any physical confrontation between the suspect and store staff.

Legal framework

Under New York law, grand larceny in the third degree covers property valued above $3,000 and below $50,000, an offense classified as a Class D felony. Convictions can result in imprisonment, probation, and financial restitution. The ongoing investigation will determine whether additional charges, such as unauthorized use of a computer or credit-card fraud, might apply because the suspect allegedly manipulated electronic payment systems.

Ongoing investigation

Detectives are reviewing surveillance video from inside the shop and from neighboring businesses along Canal and Lafayette streets. Authorities are also analyzing digital logs from the point-of-sale terminal to trace the tap-to-pay account used in the fraudulent transaction. If the account can be linked to a mobile wallet or credit card, investigators may be able to identify the suspect through banking records.

Police have urged card dealers, pawnshops, and online marketplaces to remain alert for unusual listings that match the description of the stolen merchandise. Because many high-end trading cards are serialized or graded with unique identification numbers, they can sometimes be traced if offered for resale.

The NYPD continues to emphasize that all information provided by the public will be kept confidential. No arrests had been made as of Friday.

Crédito da imagem: NYPD