Total Cards in Newton Aycliffe has '£1m of Pokemon cards' stolen

Adrian Marsden, 34, the director of Total Cards, alerted authorities after his warehouse in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham was broken into in two separate incidents on 14 and 28 June 2023.

Durham Police carried out an investigation into both incidents, but the evidence failed to identify those responsible.

Adrian estimates £1m worth of cards were stolen. (Image: SWNS)

Adrian claims the retail costs of stock taken is valued at "over £1m" and says it will take the business years to recover.

Adrian, from County Durham, said: "I haven't had a full night's sleep since the incident.

"I constantly watch the CCTV from home after every shift to ensure this doesn't happen again.

CCTV captures people lingering outside when the incident happened. (Image: SWNS)

"We have run this business for over 12 years and never experienced anything like this - nor did we ever believe Pokemon cards would be a target.

"I was fortunate enough for my insurance company to cover the inventory stolen, but I'll never get back what we lost."

Total Cards was founded in 2012 by Adrian - after he came across some Pokemon cards while shopping with his late mum. 

His partner and co-director, Victoria Cairns, 34, expanded the business after she took a managerial position in September 2017.

In January 2021, the company moved into a bigger warehouse to stock Adrian's inventory of Pokemon, Yu-Gi-Oh and Magic The Gathering trading cards.

In a second break-in a hole was smashed into the wall. (Image: SWNS)

Adrian said: "I'm extremely proud of what we have built together. 

"It's a family business that started out as a hobby, which grew into a business and a passion for helping other trading card enthusiasts save money on the hobby.'

On the morning of 14 June 2023 as Adrian and Victoria were getting ready for work, they received a phone call from one of their employees. 

The employee reported finding a large hole on the rear side of the warehouse and noticed the inventory had been disturbed and a large amount was missing.

The break-in was reported by the couple to Durham Police - who dispatched officers to investigate.

A hole in the back of the building. (Image: SWNS)

But just 13 days later, the group of thieves returned again and, after reviewing the CCTV footage, the couple spotted a van outside the rear of the property.

They were able to see six people creating another hole to break into the warehouse - with one figure adjusting all the cameras to avoid being identified. 

After 45 minutes the thieves can be seen filling the van with gaming merchandise and Pokémon cards, before leaving the scene some time later.

Adrian said: "When I got the call I felt dread fill my body, I never expected it to happen again.

Adrian Marsden and his team. (Image: SWNS)

"We had patched up the hole and fixed the fence, but they broke everything down again and got back in.

"This time they didn't just take a few boxes."

On 29 June 2023, Adrian found a large amount of his stock had been wiped out with the thieves focusing on Pokémon cards.

Officers reviewed all the CCTV footage, obtained witness accounts and carried out forensic work at the scene but after eight months the case has been closed.

Adrian said: "It seemed to be a professional job.

"The thieves had been spotted cutting the fence before the break-in just two weeks prior.

"They cased the joint and destroyed a family business."

Fortunately, the warehouse and company were insured by Allianz who specialise in damaged, lost or stolen property.

Recommended reading:

• First look inside stunning new restaurant set to serve up 'exquisite' food
• Newcastle St James' Park plan & potential transfer surprise after Sunderland release

• Bishop Auckland LIVE: Road now clear following 'incident'

Get more from The Northern Echo with a digital subscription. Get access for 4 months for just £4, or get 40% off an annual subscription with our latest offer. Click here.

After weeks of reviewing the remaining inventory, Adrian estimates over ''a million pounds worth of goods'' had been stolen.

The insurance company were able to pay out but the family business is still trying to recover from the losses.

Adrian said: "I never thought a company that sells trading cards would be targeted.

"My partner is terrified and now suffers really badly with her anxiety because of this. 

"We've upped our security, but it's been really difficult to recover.

"I don't think we'd survive another hit."