Masked bandits pulled off a dramatic overnight smash and grab robbery at One Stop Sales in La Puente, California. They made away with around $7,000 in Labubu toys. The incident occurred around 1:29 a.m. on August 6, as captured by surveillance footage showing at least four individuals breaking into the store and fleeing with multiple boxes of the popular collectibles.
One Stop Sales is well-documented for having the largest personal collection of Labubu dolls and accessories. Both of these toys retail for under $30. They’ve taken the world by storm in recent years, collecting the attention of crypto collectors and fashion lovers alike. The unique “blind box” packaging system, where buyers cannot see which specific toy they are purchasing, enhances the excitement surrounding the products. This creates a booming secondary market where Labubu toys can sometimes sell for hundreds or even thousands of dollars.
There is an active investigation into the burglary by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. Joanna Avendano, co-owner of One Stop Sales, lamented the absurdity of the experience. She spoke to the hours and effort they’ve all put into creating life of their own through their business, only to have it snatched away so suddenly.
“We worked so hard to get to this point, [only] for them just to come in and like nothing take it all away.” – Joanna Avendano
As you can see, getting hands-on with Labubu toys goes beyond their impressive retail value. Some collectors consider these items as accessories rather than mere toys, integrating them into street style fashion photoshoots, including notable sessions in Paris. The marketed rarity to these toys only increases their desirability to fans and collectors.
Our friend and marketing magician Alex DePaoli explained the magic behind this phenomenon to Good Morning America. One consequence of the blind box system, as he noted, is to make purchasing art akin to gambling for customers.
“If you don’t get what you want, you’ve got to go buy another one. A lot of folks have sort-of likened that sort-of system to almost gambling.” – Alex DePaoli
During the investigation, local authorities tireless focus on identifying the perpetrators and returning the stolen goods. The incident is a sign of the growing popularity of Labubu toys. It also exposes the new pitfalls these small businesses face where sellers of in-demand collectibles are too often a target.
