Thieves strike games shop, making off with £65,000 in Pokémon cards

According to Alex Badham, a loss of this magnitude would have a devastating impact on Badzgaming, based in Cwmbran, Torfaen.

A recent break-in at a games shop in Cwmbran, Torfaen, resulted in the theft of £65,000 worth of rare Pokémon cards, a loss that the owner believes will have a significant impact on his business.

The image shows three damaged Pokémon cards, the clear cases the cards are housed in are cracked and scratched. The card on the left is a yellow Pikachu card with a sticker that says £145 on it, the middle is a pink Espeon card and the card on the left is a blue Mew card, all with cartoon images of the creatures on. — Some of the cards are worth hundreds, if not thousands, of pounds

Phillip Hobbs, the perpetrator, used a hammer to gain entry to the Badzgaming shop, making off with the valuable items and £1,700 in cash before fleeing the scene on a stolen motorbike.

Although the stolen items were recovered, many of the Pokémon cards were damaged by petrol during the attempted getaway, rendering them virtually worthless, according to shop owner Alex Badham.

The future of Badzgaming now hinges on the outcome of the insurance claim, as the owner struggles to come to terms with the extent of the loss, describing it as a significant blow.

The Pokémon franchise, which gained widespread popularity in the 1990s, has evolved over the years, giving rise to a thriving market for trading cards.

A CCTV image showing Badzgaming, a gaming shop after it had been broken into. There is stock, mainly cards, scattered over the blue floor and items are damaged. The glass door is open, with a white tale askew by the entrance. — Badzgaming was broken into earlier this month

In recent months, a string of thefts has targeted stores that sell these highly collectible cards, highlighting the growing demand and value of these items.

Phillip Hobbs, a resident of Emerald St in Adamsdown, Cardiff, pleaded guilty to charges of burglary, handling stolen goods, and going equipped for burglary.

Hobbs was sentenced to 10 months in prison at Newport Magistrates' Court on 3 February and ordered to pay £250 in compensation for his crimes.

At the time of the break-in on 2 February, Badzgaming had only been open for four months, making the loss even more devastating for the business.

Shop owner Alex Badham outside his gaming shop, he's smiling and stood next to a man and a women. Alex has short dark hair, is cleanly shaven and is wearing a black t-shirt and trousers. The woman next to him is making a piece symbol with her hands and smiling, while the man on Alex's other side is pointing at Alex and smiling. — Alex Badham, centre, said the future of his business hinged on his insurance claim

The stolen items included a variety of Pokémon cards, such as sealed packs, graded cards, and individual loose packs, which can command high prices, ranging from hundreds to thousands of pounds.

Many of the cards were carelessly thrown into bags, causing damage that significantly reduced their value, according to Badham.

Some of the damaged cards, including a rare £4,000 Latias Gold Star card, may be repairable in the US, potentially restoring some of their value.

The value of Pokémon cards has increased significantly, with some cards now being viewed as investments, similar to fine art, luxury watches, and high-end jewelry.

Graded cards, in particular, are fragile and prone to damage, with their value largely determined by their grade, making them highly sensitive to handling and storage.

While some of the stolen cards were stored in protective cases, many others sustained significant damage, with approximately 75% of the stolen goods now considered unsalable.

Badham believes that the thief demonstrated a lack of understanding of the Pokémon card market by stealing low-value items in addition to the more valuable ones.

In a surprising turn of events, the store was targeted again just two days after reopening, but the would-be thief was quickly apprehended, and the stolen items were recovered.

Badham praised the swift response of the police and security personnel at the M Cwmbran shopping centre, where the store is located, for their role in foiling the second attempted theft.

The police and security teams responded rapidly to the incident, arriving at the scene almost immediately.

A spokesperson for the shopping centre stated that the management team and local stakeholders are committed to maintaining the highest levels of safety and vigilance in the town centre.

The image shows a Venusaur pokémon Card priced at £700, the case is cracked. — The thief stole a combination of low and high value cards

Despite the positive outcome, Badham expressed concerns about the risk of another break-in, prompting him to explore additional security measures to protect his stock.

In light of the recent incidents, Badham acknowledges that investing in extra security is a necessary precaution, saying, "It's unfortunate, but it's essential to take steps to protect oneself."

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Keanu Reeves’ John Wick Video Game Revealed at PlayStation Event

The iconic hitman has made previous appearances in games, however, the version developed by Saber will mark the first instance where the character is voiced by Reeves.

A video game adaptation of the John Wick franchise, which has grossed over $1 billion worldwide, is in development, with Keanu Reeves set to lend his likeness and voice to the project.

An in game screenshot of a video game version of Keanu Reeves as the character John Wick. He is wearing a suit and looking at the camera.

The game, currently titled "Untitled John Wick Game", is being developed by Saber Interactive, the studio behind Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2, in collaboration with Chad Stahelski, director of the John Wick film series.

A trailer for the game, expected to serve as a prequel to the film series, was unveiled during PlayStation's "State of Play" event on Thursday.

The event also featured announcements for remakes of several major game franchises, including the God of War trilogy, as well as a special 30th-anniversary edition of the classic platformer Rayman.

The John Wick film series, which has earned over $1 billion globally, follows the story of a retired assassin, played by Keanu Reeves, as he seeks vengeance in a world of high-stakes action.

Although the character of John Wick has appeared in games before, this will be the first time Keanu Reeves has provided his voice for the role.

Reeves has previous experience in the gaming industry, having played a key role in the hit game Cyberpunk 2077 as the character Johnny Silverhand.

According to Matthew Karch, CEO of Saber Interactive, the development team is "honored" to be working with Chad Stahelski and Keanu Reeves to bring the John Wick universe to life in a AAA game.

The game's story will be an original narrative designed for mature audiences, featuring a mix of familiar characters from the film series and new ones.

Jenefer Brown, president of global products at Lionsgate, the producer of the John Wick films, expressed the company's goal of capturing the "intense action" and "distinctive fight choreography" that define the franchise.

The reaction to the game's announcement has been largely positive among fans on social media.

However, some fans have expressed concerns about the potential impact on Saber Interactive's other projects, including the long-awaited remake of the classic Star Wars game Knights of the Old Republic.

Christopher Dring, editor-in-chief of The Game Business, believes that the John Wick game is a strong fit for Saber Interactive, given the studio's experience with action-oriented IPs and its ability to release multiple games across various genres.

Dring notes that Saber Interactive operates as a collective of studios working on multiple IPs, allowing it to release a diverse range of games annually.

During the same event, Sony announced that Santa Monica Studios is working on remakes of the first three God of War games, building on one of the platform's most successful franchises.

An in-game screenshot of Silent Hill Townfall. We see the back of a man who is looking at a sign that says "Welcome to St. Amelia". — Konami's trailer for Silent Hill Townfall revealed it is set in St Amelia, a "fictional island inspired by Scotland"

Although a release date for the God of War remakes was not provided, Sony did announce a surprise side-scrolling prequel game, Sons of Sparta, which is available now.

The event also offered a first look at Townfall, the latest installment in the Silent Hill series, set on the fictional island of St. Amelia, which draws inspiration from Scotland.

A 30th-anniversary edition of the classic platformer Rayman was also announced, featuring five versions of the 1995 game, along with a near-immediate release.

Loic Gounon, brand producer for the Rayman games, discussed the anniversary edition with the BBC, highlighting the inclusion of a new documentary that explores the making of the original game, as well as accessibility features designed to enhance the experience for modern players.

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Tottenham set to appoint temporary boss ahead of permanent summer hire

Tottenham expect to appoint an interim manager to oversee the team for the rest of the season by this weekend, with plans to make a permanent appointment in the summer.

The task of finding a successor to Thomas Frank has fallen to Johan Lange and Vinai Venkatesham, who are overseeing the selection process.

Tottenham Hotspur intends to appoint an interim manager to see out the current season, with a view to making a more permanent appointment during the summer months.

The dismissal of Thomas Frank occurred earlier this week, at a time when the team was five points clear of the relegation zone.

According to sources close to BBC Sport, Tottenham Hotspur is expected to finalize an agreement with an interim manager before the team resumes training on Monday.

Following their early exit from the FA Cup in the third round, Tottenham has a nine-day break before facing Arsenal in the north London derby on February 22.

With no match scheduled for this weekend, the first-team squad has been given a brief break and is set to return to training on Monday.

The club is aware that the mid-season transfer window presents limited options, and it may be more feasible to secure a long-term manager at the end of the campaign.

An in-depth examination of Thomas Frank's tenure reveals the challenges he faced in winning over players and fans.

A closer look at Frank's time at Tottenham highlights the risks involved in his appointment and the ultimate failure of his tenure.

Although the search for an interim manager is still ongoing, the successful candidate will be considered for the permanent position if they perform well in the role.

Former Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino is a potential candidate to take the reins on a permanent basis, particularly since his contract with the US men's national team is set to expire after the World Cup this summer.

Another candidate being considered is Roberto De Zerbi, who recently parted ways with French club Marseille by mutual consent.

For the latest news, analysis, and fan perspectives on Tottenham, please refer to our dedicated section.

If you have any questions about Tottenham, feel free to ask and we will do our best to provide you with the information you are looking for.

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Aberdeen to unveil new manager soon with Docherty set to take assistant role

Aberdeen has bolstered its interim management team with the return of Tony Docherty, who previously served as an assistant manager, to support Peter Leven, amid anticipation of a permanent appointment announcement that sporting director Lutz Pfannenstiel had indicated would be made “imminently”.

Ross County parted ways with Tony Docherty in December, and he has now taken on a new role.

Aberdeen have brought in former assistant manager Tony Docherty to support Peter Leven's interim management team, despite sporting director Lutz Pfannenstiel indicating that a permanent appointment was imminent.

Docherty's return to Aberdeen comes just a week after Eirik Horneland, a former coach of Rosenborg, Brann, and Saint-Etienne, emerged as a top contender to succeed Jimmy Thelin, who was sacked earlier.

As Aberdeen delays making a full-time appointment, speculation surrounding Eirik Horneland's availability has arisen, with reports suggesting the 50-year-old Norwegian may not be able to take on the role until summer.

Since Jimmy Thelin's dismissal on January 4, Lutz Pfannenstiel has been leading the search for a replacement, and he confirmed that Tony Docherty would be joining the team to assist Peter Leven during the interim period.

Dundee Utd are facing a challenging schedule, with four matches in 14 days set to take place on a weather-affected pitch.

According to Stavrum, Eirik Horneland's coaching style, characterized by intensity, would be a good fit for Aberdeen.

Tony Docherty initially joined Aberdeen in 2013 as part of Derek McInnes' management team and spent eight years at the club.

Before his stint at Aberdeen, Docherty served as McInnes' assistant at Kilmarnock and later managed Dundee and Ross County, but his time at Ross County ended in December when he was let go with the team at the bottom of the Championship.

Lutz Pfannenstiel praised Tony Docherty's experience, stating that he has a deep understanding of the club and will be a valuable asset during the transition period.

Pfannenstiel highlighted Docherty's extensive knowledge of the Scottish Premiership, gained through his experience as both a coach and manager, which will be beneficial to the team in the short term.

The club's managerial search is nearing its conclusion, and an announcement regarding the new head coach is expected soon, according to Pfannenstiel.

Peter Leven, who is serving as caretaker manager for the third time, expressed his enthusiasm for Tony Docherty's appointment.

Leven welcomed Docherty's return, stating that his experience will be a significant boost to the team, particularly during the upcoming matches.

Leven noted that Docherty was eager to join the team and that his presence will provide valuable support during both training sessions and matches.

Eirik Horneland left his position at Saint-Etienne in early February, at which point his team was fourth in France's second tier.

If Aberdeen decides to wait until summer for Horneland to take over, it will be similar to the six-month delay that occurred when Jimmy Thelin joined the club from Elfsborg in the summer of 2024.

For the latest news, analysis, and fan perspectives on Aberdeen, visit our dedicated page.