$7,000 Labubu Doll Heist in the US: Collectors’ Paradise Shattered by Midnight Raid

 


🎭 $7,000 Labubu Doll Heist in the US: Collectors’ Paradise Shattered by Midnight Raid

By Global Egberi Media International

In a brazen midnight operation that could have been lifted straight from a Hollywood crime script, masked thieves in the United States made off with approximately $7,000 (₦10.7 million) worth of Labubu dolls from a renowned collectibles store in the Los Angeles area.

According to Associated Press (AP), the heist unfolded at exactly 1:29 a.m. on Wednesday, August 6, 2025, at One Stop Sales, a boutique revered by collectors worldwide for its extensive array of Labubu dolls and accessories.

CCTV footage now making waves on social media shows a highly coordinated strike. At least four masked intruders can be seen forcing their way into the store, tearing through shelves with surgical precision, and vanishing into the night with armfuls of boxed treasures.

When daylight broke, devastation awaited the store’s owners. Images posted online by co-owner Joanna Avendano showed a grim scene — shards of glass glittering on the floor, merchandise scattered in chaos, and a once-vibrant storefront reduced to silence.

“We poured years of work into building this,” Avendano told ABC’s KABC-TV with visible grief. “And in an instant, they swept it all away as if it meant nothing.”

Authorities have since recovered a white Toyota Tacoma believed to have been used as the getaway vehicle. However, the culprits remain at large, intensifying the manhunt in the Los Angeles area.

Labubu: More Than Just Toys

First introduced in China in 2015, Labubu has risen far beyond the status of ordinary toys. These whimsical, wide-eyed figures have become a global pop culture sensation, embraced by celebrities like Rihanna, Lizzo, and BLACKPINK’s Lisa.

Produced by Chinese toymaker Pop Mart, Labubu collectibles have fueled a billion-dollar empire — with the company’s revenue doubling in 2024 to an astonishing $1.8 billion.

Though a standard Labubu retails for about $30, limited-edition variants can fetch hundreds or even thousands on resale markets. This frenzy is fueled by their “blind box” sales model — buyers don’t know which figure they’ve purchased until unboxed.

“It’s akin to a form of retail gambling,” explained Alex DePaoli, a marketing expert at Northeastern University. “You keep buying until you get the one you want — or you hunt it down for a premium.”

The Dark Side of Collecting

As demand skyrockets, an underground market of counterfeit dolls — mockingly dubbed “Lafufus” — has emerged. These knock-offs are often distinguishable by poor craftsmanship and altered details, yet still find buyers among desperate collectors unwilling to pay premium prices for the real thing.

DePaoli warns that the cultural impact of Labubu extends beyond toys:

“They’re not merely toys. They’re fashion statements, collectible art pieces — objects that complete a look as much as they spark joy.”

Global Egberi Media International’s Take

This theft is a stark reminder that the collectibles industry, while colorful and joyous on the surface, can also be a target for organized crime. The Labubu heist speaks to the powerful global demand for pop culture icons and the risks faced by niche retailers.

With suspects still on the run, and the collectible world watching closely, this story is far from over.

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  • Title: $7,000 Labubu Doll Heist in US Leaves Collectors Stunned

  • Description: Masked thieves in Los Angeles steal $7,000 worth of Labubu dolls in a daring midnight raid, shaking the global collectibles community.

  • Keywords: Labubu doll theft, Los Angeles heist, Pop Mart collectibles, toy theft, rare Labubu figures, celebrity collectibles, blind box toys, Lafufu counterfeit dolls

  • Author: Global Egberi Media International

Tags: #LabubuHeist #PopMart #ToyCollectibles #GlobalEgberiMedia #LosAngelesNews #CelebrityCollectibles

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