Accused Pokemon card bandits busted in California as thefts surge
Matt Finn reports on the surge in Pokemon card thefts across California and beyond. In San Francisco, police arrested juvenile suspects involved in a pepper spray robbery using high-tech tools. A separate incident in Brentwood, CA saw masked bandits steal thousands worth of cards in under a minute, prompting the owner to boost security.
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A Facebook Marketplace jewelry listing was linked to a late-night armed robbery at a home in affluent Franklin, Tennessee, where police pursued three fleeing suspects, authorities said.
Officers responded to a home in northeast Franklin just after 11 p.m. Friday, Oct. 9, and determined the robbery was connected to jewelry advertised for sale on the platform, according to the Franklin Police Department.
The suspects fled the area but were spotted by responding officers a short time later. A vehicle pursuit followed, ending with all three men in custody, police said.
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A scenic view of Franklin, Tennessee, alongside booking photos of, from left, Ivan Lagos-Espinoza, Jose Paiz-Godoy and Rubel Rodriguez-Lisa. The three face multiple felony charges following an Oct. 9, 2026, armed robbery connected to a Facebook Marketplace jewelry listing, police said. (City of Franklin, TN – Municipal Government Facebook/Franklin Police Department)
Authorities identified the suspects as Ivan Lagos-Espinoza, 22, and Jose Paiz-Godoy, 23, both of Nashville, and Rubel Rodriguez-Lisa, 19, of Lebanon.
All three face multiple charges, including aggravated robbery, felony evading and tampering with evidence.
The robbery unfolded in a community known for its wealth and high-end homes. Franklin’s city website describes it as “one of the wealthiest cities in one of the wealthiest counties in the United States.”
An aerial view of Franklin, Tennessee, an affluent community in Williamson County. Police arrested three men following an Oct. 9, 2026, armed robbery at a home in northeast Franklin. (City of Franklin, TN – Municipal Government Facebook)
Franklin’s median home sale price reached $903,410 in September 2026, while the median listing price stood at $1.1 million, according to Realtor.com.
Across Williamson County, where Franklin is located, the median home sale price was $929,990, the real estate website reported.
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Police credited the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office with helping investigate the robbery and apprehend the suspects.
The case also prompted a warning to online sellers about the risks of bringing strangers to their homes, particularly when expensive merchandise is involved.
Police urged buyers and sellers to arrange exchanges in public, well-lit locations with other people nearby and surveillance cameras whenever possible. For valuable items, authorities recommended meeting at a police department or another law enforcement facility.
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Facebook Marketplace listings appear on a smartphone in this file photo. Franklin, Tennessee, police say an Oct. 9, 2026, armed robbery was connected to jewelry advertised on the platform. The listings pictured are unrelated to the case. (Nicolas Tucat/ AFP via Getty Images)
Sellers should also bring someone along, avoid carrying large amounts of cash and limit the personal information they share, including details about their homes, schedules and other valuables, police said.
Authorities warned that jewelry, electronics and other expensive items can make sellers attractive targets for criminals.
“If something about the buyer, seller or proposed meeting location does not feel right, cancel the transaction,” the department advised.
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