Thieves Steal $30K Worth of Labubu Dolls in La Puente Heist

Authorities reported that four masked burglars broke into the store early on August 6 and stole roughly $30,000 worth of Labubu dolls. The incident has raised eyebrows in the retail community and among those who follow the booming market for collectible items.

One Stop Sales, a store known for their collection of Labubu dolls, was hit hard by the burglary. The masked suspects, captured on surveillance footage, used a stolen Toyota Tacoma in the crime. 

They took everything from the store’s Labubu stock, including limited-edition dolls valued at as much as $500. The thieves, who were seen shuffling boxes out of the store in the footage, managed to get away without immediate detection, though the stolen truck was recovered later.

The store’s owners, understandably shaken, shared their experience on social media, posting CCTV footage of the theft and the chaos left behind. Their post included a plea for help in identifying the criminals.

Co-owner Joanna Avendano explained that her store had only been open for two months before it was targeted. “There was a lot taken, maybe around $30,000 or more of inventory," she said. “We worked so hard to get to this point, and for them to just come in and take it all away, it’s really bad.”

The Labubu dolls, designed by Hong Kong artist Kasing Lung, have taken the collectible world by storm. What started as a quirky plush toy has evolved into an iconic figure in global pop culture.

The "blind box" format, in which customers can’t know which version of the doll they’ll get until they open it, plays into the idea of rarity and exclusivity. As a result, these dolls have become sought-after accessories, not just for kids but also for adults looking to complete their collections. 

With high-profile celebrity endorsements from figures like Rihanna and BLACKPINK’s Lisa, the Labubu doll has firmly cemented itself as a must-have item for many fans.

However, with this popularity comes a darker side. The demand for Labubus has led to a surge in counterfeit products, called Lafufus. 

These knock-offs, often made with cheaper materials, offer an alternative to those who can’t or don’t want to pay the high resale prices of the authentic dolls. 

This increase in replicas points to how seriously some people take their collectible purchases and how valuable they can become.

Trends like the Labubu doll craze have a double-edged sword: They attract attention, sales, and high demand, but they also introduce serious risks. In this case, a popular toy became the focal point of a robbery, with thieves targeting the entire inventory of Labubus.

The loss is about both the financial damage and the impact on the store’s ability to meet customer demand. The stolen stock is a direct financial blow, but the disruption to operations, leaving customers without the products they expect to find, also represents a significant setback. 

Collectibles like Labubus aren't just products; they're part of a relationship with customers who come to the store for specific items. Losing that inventory means a monetary loss and the challenge of rebuilding the trust and expectations those customers have come to rely on. 

Staying ahead of trends requires staying in stock and ensuring that customers can consistently find what they want, when they want it.