Masked thieves steal $7,000 worth of Labubu dolls in California

Dozens of boxes containing the highly sought-after Labubu toys, valued at approximately USD 7,000, were stolen from a La Puente, California store earlier this week, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department reported.

The break-in occurred around 1:29 AM on August 6 at One Stop Sales, a local shop well-known for selling Labubu dolls and accessories.

Joanna Avendano, co-owner of One Stop Sales, expressed her frustration, telling ABC’s local station KABC-TV, "We worked so hard to get to this point, [only] for them just to come in and like nothing take it all away."

Surveillance footage posted by the store shows at least four masked individuals breaking into the shop, rifling through shelves, and fleeing with multiple boxes of merchandise. Photos shared by Avendano reveal shattered glass at the entrance and scattered products littering the floor.

While deputies confirmed the suspects remain at large, they have recovered the stolen white car used in the heist.

Labubu toys, which originated in China in 2015, have become a global sensation. Celebrities including Rihanna, Lizzo, and BLACKPINK’s Lisa have been seen with the collectible figures, fueling their rise into a billion-dollar industry.

According to Pop Mart’s 2024 financial report, the Chinese toy company behind Labubu, revenue doubled to USD 1.8 billion this year. Although individual dolls retail for around USD 30, their resale value often skyrockets into the hundreds or even thousands of dollars.