los Angeles, CA – A brazen theft targeting the highly sought-after Labubu dolls occurred at One Stop sales in the Florence-Graham neighborhood of Los Angeles on Thursday, resulting in an estimated $25,000 loss for the toy vendor. Police are investigating the incident as a burglary.
Labubu dolls, created by Hong Kong artist Kasing Lung in 2013, have experienced a surge in popularity recently, becoming a coveted collectible among celebrities, social media influencers, and general enthusiasts. The dolls are characterized by their distinctive, often melancholic expressions and diverse range of designs.
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The dolls are sold in blind boxes, meaning purchasers do not know which of the 300 unique designs they will receive until opening the package. This element of surprise contributes considerably to their collectibility and demand.
Standard Labubu boxes typically retail for approximately $30, but limited-edition releases can command prices upwards of $500 on resale platforms like StockX and eBay. The scarcity of certain designs drives up their value in the secondary market.
One stop Sales, located on Florence Avenue in Los Angeles, detailed the incident in an Instagram post, stating that the thieves not only stole the entire Labubu inventory but also caused significant damage to the store. The Los Angeles Police Department, specifically the 77th Street Division, is handling the inquiry.
Surveillance video released by the store shows a group of individuals,clad in hoodies and face coverings,forcibly entering the premises and systematically removing boxes of merchandise.Authorities are currently reviewing the footage to identify the suspects.
“We are still in shock and trying to process everything,” One Stop Sales wrote in their social media statement, appealing to the public for any information that could lead to the apprehension of the perpetrators. The store has temporarily closed while assessing the damage and restocking inventory.
