New Bedford, Taunton, Dartmouth investigation leads to prison sentence in Fall River court after theft of $100,000+ in Pokémon cards

A local man has pled guilty and was sentenced in Fall River Superior Court after the theft of very valuable collectible Pokémon cards.

According to police, on July 8th, 2025, officers responded to a breaking and entering at 1st Edition Collectibles, then located on Purchase Street in New Bedford (now in North Dartmouth). The suspect had stolen numerous high-value Pokémon cards and collectible merchandise, with the total loss estimated to exceed $100,000.

On Monday, July 21st, 2025, Detective Nicole Rodriguez, who was assigned to the investigation, received information regarding a possible lead. The tip came after an individual attempted to sell a Base Set Unlimited Green Wings Booster Box, valued at $30,000 — an item that matched the description of merchandise stolen during the burglary.

Later that day, Det. Rodriguez was contacted by a location in Taunton, who reported a separate attempt by the same individual to sell additional Pokémon cards. 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.

The individual, identified as 25-year-old Richard Jovahn Nunes of New Bedford, was taken into custody in a coordinated operation with the Taunton Police Department. At the time of arrest, Nunes had an active felony warrant out of Taunton District Court.

Following his arrest, additional investigation led detectives to an apartment in Dartmouth, where Nunes had reportedly been staying. Detectives searched the apartment and discovered a shoebox containing serialized and graded Pokémon cards matching those stolen from 1st Edition Collectibles. Items recovered include:

1999 Charizard 1st Edition (Grade 8.5) – Valued at $12,232
2006 EX Charizard #100 (Grades 9 – Beckett and PSA) – Valued at $10,600 each
2003 Skyridge Charizard (Grade 8.5) – Valued at $7,131
1999 Base 1st Edition Blastoise (Grade 7.5) – Valued at $2,000
1999 Charizard Holo Shadowless (Grade 9) – Valued at $5,535

Nunes was arraigned in Fall River Superior Court in October on 8 counts of Receiving Stolen Property Over $1,200, 10 counts of Larceny Over $1,200, and Breaking & Entering a Building in the Nighttime for a Felony.

Court records show that on Friday, the 8 counts of Receiving Stolen Property Over $1,200 were dropped and Nunes pled guilty to the remaining charges. He was sentenced to 2 1/2 years in prison and 2 years of probation with credit for 222 days already served.