As video games and gaming accessories continue to rise in value, a number of thefts at retailers have targeted these goods, such as a recent smash-and-grab GameStop robbery that resulted in a police chase. GameStop has evolved over the years, now offering a range of goods like Funko Pops and Pokemon trading cards along with its traditional lineup of video games and consoles, and some of these items with high resale value have caused shops to become the target of burglaries.
Recent years have seen a number of high-profile robberies, with massive Pokemon card thefts and even a Nintendo Switch 2 delivery truck heist, raising concerns over the safety of retail workers and the danger of product re-selling. In spite of many companies attempting to implement policies that curb the profitability of scalping, burglary remains a major issue for brick-and-mortar stores like GameStop.
GameStop Robbery Results in Shots Fired and Police Chase
According to CBS News Chicago, the robbery occurred around 4:30am on August 7, at a GameStop in Irving Park, Chicago. Armed suspects used a vehicle to ram into the front of the store before loading a second vehicle with unidentified stolen merchandise. They then sped off while pursued by local police, with an officer being struck by one of the fleeing vehicles and opening fire towards the suspects. During the chase, the police car was hit by a civilian vehicle not involved in the incident, resulting in an end to the pursuit. At the time of writing, the suspects have not been captured or identified, but investigations are under way to apprehend the suspects and to analyze the use of force with the shots fired. GameStop offers official video game merchandise, ranging from consoles to games and collectibles, and locals say the same shop has been targeted previously.
While authorities have yet to release any information on the merchandise that was stolen, many have begun speculating either Pokemon trading cards or Switch 2 consoles as a primary target for thieves, as these items presently carry high value among scalpers. It was announced in June 2025 that GameStop will start prioritizing trading cards as a key product in its retail shops, and repeated Pokemon card thefts at independent stores and major retailers like Target and GameStop have left many worried that a similar situation has occurred with the Irving Park incident.
Many gaming fans rely on brick-and-mortar stores like GameStop for game purchases, pre-order pick-ups and bonuses, and exclusive discounts and deals that make video games more affordable. Companies like GameStop have already considered moving away from physical shops and focusing instead on online-only retail avenues, and continued thefts remain a major concern for both GameStop and its customers.
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