Grand Theft Labubu? Police recover $30,000 worth of the stolen toys
Well, police investigating a warehouse robbery recovered thousands of dollars worth of Labubus, the popular toy that has taken the internet by storm, Chino, California, officials said in a news release.
When serving a search warrant to a resident in nearby Upland, the detectives recovered 14 boxes of Labubus valued at around $30,000.
Evidence shows that the stolen Labubus located in southern California were being prepared for resale, according to the police department. Labubus, which are difficult to purchase from Pop Mart, the original vendor, are often resold online for high prices.
The Labubus have since been returned to their rightful owners.
What happened?
The Labubus were stolen from a warehouse over several days, according to police.
During the investigation, when police served the search warrant, a suspect attempted to flee the scene but surrendered. Police did not identify the suspects in their press release.
Is your Labubu real? We spot differences between Pop Mart dolls and 'Lafufus'
Other Labubu theft in California
The recovery came after another location, One Stop Sales, a store in La Puente, California, 20 miles east of downtown Los Angeles, shared footage of thieves stealing around $7,000 worth of Labubus from the store, USA TODAY reported last week.
"The vehicle used in the crime, a stolen Toyota Tacoma, was recovered shortly afterward," the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department said in a statement.
USA TODAY has reached out to the Chino and Los Angeles police departments for additional information, including any potential links between the two incidents.
What is a Labubu?
Labubu is a doll that resembles a monster, featuring a large head, sharp teeth and prominent eyes. The Labubu keychains are furry and come in different colors, shapes, and sizes.
Pop Mart has sold small Labubus, in addition to dolls shaped like shrimp tempura, carrying Coke products, dressed as pumpkins and more.
Some people might say the doll looks a bit scary, while others think they're downright adorable.
The doll was designed by Hong Kong artist Kasing Lung around 10 years ago, according to Business Insider.
But today, Labubus are sold worldwide by the Beijing-based toy maker Pop Mart, as part of their 'The Monsters' line. They are adored by many, including celebrities like Lizzo and Lady Gaga.
Contributing: Natalie Neysa Alund, USA TODAY
Julia is a trending reporter for USA TODAY. Connect with her on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and TikTok: @juliamariegz, or email her at jgomez@gannett.com
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