4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
It's a Laburglary! Thieves snatch Labubu Dolls worth thousand dollars in LA store
The pastel-coloured, toothy little menace that is the Labubu doll has been wreaking havoc on wallets all year, but now, it is apparently driving thieves to stage full-on toy heists. In eastern Los Angeles county, a group of burglars smashed into One Stop Sales in La Puente, heading straight for the shop's freshly restocked Labubu supply.
Cute Labubus turn criminal in LA
Store co-owner Joanna Avendano revealed the hit was not random. She believes the burglars had been watching their every move, possibly even tracking the store's social media where the new Labubu drop had just been announced. In her words, the thieves bypassed everything else and went right for the 'gold.'
$500 dolls, black market buzz of Labubus
Labubu dolls, made exclusively by Pop Mart, have exploded into one of 2025's most chaotic pop culture obsessions. Rihanna has been snapped carrying one. Lisa from Blackpink has accessorised her look with one dangling from her bag. Fans have turned the bug-eyed creatures into fashion statements, attaching them to handbags, backpacks, and even belts.
The retail price can reach $500 per doll, but in the resale market? Try thousands. Naturally, this has fuelled a shady black market—and even counterfeits.
The break-in, step by step
Security footage shows four masked suspects making off with several boxes of Labubus. Authorities say the burglars used a Toyota Tacoma, later found abandoned not far from the scene. Estimates of the loss range from $7,000 to over $30,000, depending on whether you count retail value or black-market resale.
Collectible or criminal magnet?
What started as a quirky hobby for collectors has clearly escalated into a riskier game. For now, the sheriff's department is investigating, but the frenzy around these dolls shows no signs of slowing. Whether you call it a fashion flex or a crime magnet, one thing is certain, Labubus are officially too hot to handle.
