Labubu Doll Heist in La Puente: Masked Thieves Steal $30K in Rare Collectibles

In the quiet early hours of August 6, 2025, the community of La Puente, California, awoke to a brazen and costly crime. Four masked thieves smashed through the glass storefront of One Stop Sales, a boutique resale shop located just 18 miles east of Los Angeles, and made off with boxes of highly coveted Labubu dolls.

Surveillance footage shared on the store’s social media captured the chilling precision of the burglary, which occurred at approximately 1:29 a.m. The thieves acted quickly, filling their arms with merchandise before fleeing in a Toyota Tacoma—later found abandoned nearby by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

While law enforcement estimates placed the value of the stolen dolls at around $7,000, co-owner Joanna Avendano says the actual loss is closer to $25,000–$30,000 due to the high resale market for these rare collectibles. Some Labubu dolls, she explained, can fetch as much as $500 each in secondary sales.

Why This Labubu Doll Theft Has Shocked Collectors and Retailers

Labubu dolls, created by Hong Kong artist Kasing Lung and distributed by toy giant Pop Mart, have become a pop culture phenomenon in 2025. Known for their whimsical yet eerie designs, they are often sold in “blind-box” packaging, making certain designs extremely rare and valuable.

The dolls have amassed a cult-like following—endorsed by celebrities, celebrated by influencers, and feverishly sought after by collectors worldwide. This surge in demand has unfortunately made them an attractive target for organized theft.

Avendano believes the robbery was not random. Just hours before the incident, she had posted on Instagram announcing a restock of Labubu dolls. She also recalled seeing a suspicious truck parked near the shop the previous evening, leading her to suspect that the criminals had been monitoring the store’s social media.

How Social Media Could Be Fueling Retail Crime

The La Puente burglary underscores a growing challenge for retailers in the age of social media marketing. Public announcements of restocks or rare item arrivals can unintentionally tip off thieves. Experts in retail security note that “social listening” by criminals—monitoring online posts for lucrative opportunities—has become a real threat in recent years.

The Sheriff’s Department has urged the public to assist in identifying the suspects, especially anyone who may spot Labubu dolls being resold in local markets, online platforms, or collector forums.

Why Labubu Dolls Are More Than Just Toys

Beyond their plush appeal, Labubu dolls are part of a global collector economy that thrives on scarcity and storytelling. Each character comes with a whimsical backstory, contributing to their emotional and financial value.

Collectors say the theft of such items isn’t just about financial loss—it’s about the disruption of a tightly knit community built on shared passion. As Avendano expressed, “These dolls bring joy to people. For thieves to take that away, it’s heartbreaking.”

What Retailers Can Learn from This Incident

Retail analysts recommend that stores dealing in high-demand collectibles take extra precautions:

• Delay public restock announcements until after peak store hours

• Use security glass and reinforced locks

• Invest in discreet inventory transport methods

• Coordinate closely with local law enforcement for high-value shipments

Given the current collector craze, many retailers may now reconsider how much they share publicly online.

Labubu doll collectors and retailers are now on alert, watching both marketplaces and social media for signs of the stolen merchandise. With the investigation ongoing, this incident serves as a sobering reminder of how cultural phenomena can quickly become crime targets when rarity meets high demand.

You Must Know:

Q1: What are Labubu dolls and why are they valuable?
Labubu dolls are collectible plush figures designed by Hong Kong artist Kasing Lung and sold by Pop Mart. Their limited runs, blind-box format, and unique designs make certain editions rare and valuable, sometimes selling for hundreds of dollars.

Q2: How much were the stolen Labubu dolls worth?
Authorities estimate the loss at $7,000, but the store owners claim it’s closer to $25,000–$30,000 due to the rare and high-value pieces taken.

Q3: Where did the Labubu doll theft happen?
The burglary occurred at One Stop Sales, a boutique resale shop in La Puente, California, on August 6, 2025.

Q4: How did the thieves carry out the burglary?
Four masked burglars smashed the shop’s front glass, stole multiple boxes of Labubu dolls, and fled in a Toyota Tacoma, which was later recovered nearby.

Q5: Why do criminals target collectible toys like Labubu dolls?
High demand, scarcity, and high resale prices make collectible toys appealing to thieves. The anonymity of online resale platforms also makes stolen goods easier to offload.