In the pre-dawn hours of Wednesday, August 6, 2025, a small shop nestled in La Puente, just east of Los Angeles, became the latest target in a wave of high-profile collectible thefts. The store, One Stop Sales, found itself stripped bare of its entire inventory after a group of masked thieves executed a swift and destructive break-in, making off with approximately $7,000 worth of Labubu dolls—a plush toy that has captured the hearts (and wallets) of collectors worldwide.
According to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, the suspects used a stolen Toyota Tacoma to carry out the heist, smashing through the front door in the early hours before dawn. The battered vehicle was later recovered by authorities, but the thieves and the coveted dolls remain at large. The department confirmed, "Several boxes of Labubu dolls were stolen, valued at approximately seven thousand dollars," as reported by NBC News. The investigation remains ongoing, with law enforcement combing through surveillance footage and appealing to the public for leads.
Labubu dolls, the fluffy, toothy monsters created by Hong Kong artist Kasing Lung in collaboration with Chinese retailer Pop Mart, have become an international sensation over the past decade. Originally introduced as quirky, limited-run collectibles, their popularity has soared in recent years, fueled by a social media frenzy and high-profile endorsements. Celebrities like Rihanna, BLACKPINK's Lisa, and Dua Lipa have all been spotted accessorizing with the dolls, sparking a craze that has driven both demand and prices through the roof. Some rare editions now fetch up to $500 apiece on secondary markets and on the store's own website.
The break-in at One Stop Sales was not a subtle affair. Surveillance footage, later posted to the store's Instagram account, revealed a coordinated team of individuals clad in hoodies and face coverings. The grainy video shows them shuffling through the store, grabbing box after box of Labubu dolls, and leaving chaos in their wake. The shop was left trashed, its shelves empty, and its owners reeling from the loss—not just of merchandise, but of the hard work and community they had built.
Joanna Avendano, co-owner of One Stop Sales, spoke to ABC News Local 7 about the ordeal. "There was a lot taken, maybe like around $30,000 or more of inventory," she estimated, suggesting the true cost of the break-in may far exceed the sheriff’s department’s initial valuation. "We worked so hard to get to this point, and for them to just come in and, like nothing, take it all away, it's really bad." Avendano also recounted a chilling detail: the night before the burglary, she had noticed a suspicious truck parked near the store—a detail that, in hindsight, seemed to underscore the calculated nature of the crime.
The store’s Instagram post captured the shock and heartbreak felt by the owners and their loyal customers. "Today we got robbed, and they took all of our inventory, trashed our store, we are still in shock, if you guys can share this post please and help us find these thief’s!" the caption read, accompanied by clips from the surveillance video. The plea quickly spread across social media, with fans and fellow collectors expressing outrage and support in equal measure.
For many, the theft is emblematic of a growing trend: as certain collectibles skyrocket in value—driven by scarcity, hype, and celebrity endorsement—they become targets not just for passionate fans but for organized thieves as well. Labubu dolls, once a niche oddity, are now hot commodities, with their whimsical designs and limited availability making them especially attractive to both buyers and, unfortunately, criminals.
The incident has also highlighted the vulnerability of small businesses in the face of such targeted crimes. Unlike large retail chains, shops like One Stop Sales often lack the resources for advanced security systems or comprehensive insurance coverage. A single break-in can threaten their survival. The emotional toll, too, is considerable. "We are still in shock," the store reiterated in its online statement, urging anyone with information to come forward and help bring the perpetrators to justice.
Authorities have yet to release additional details about the suspects or any leads in the case. The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department confirmed that the investigation is ongoing, and that they are reviewing surveillance footage and other evidence. The use of a stolen vehicle, which was quickly recovered, suggests a level of planning and professionalism that has left both law enforcement and the community concerned about potential future incidents.
In the meantime, the story has resonated far beyond the local neighborhood. News outlets from the Associated Press to NBC News have picked up the story, shining a spotlight on both the crime and the cultural phenomenon of Labubu dolls themselves. For those unfamiliar, Labubu is more than just a plush toy—it’s a symbol of creativity, nostalgia, and the sometimes-irrational passions that collectibles can inspire. The dolls’ creator, Kasing Lung, has seen his whimsical monsters evolve from limited-edition art pieces to must-have items for fans across continents.
As the investigation continues, the owners of One Stop Sales are left to pick up the pieces. Their story, however, has galvanized a community of collectors and small business supporters, many of whom have rallied around the shop with messages of encouragement and offers of help. Some have even started fundraising efforts to help the store recover, underscoring the deep connections that can form around even the most unexpected objects.
For now, the fate of the stolen Labubu dolls remains uncertain. Will they resurface on the secondary market, or have they disappeared into private collections? Only time will tell. What’s clear is that the theft has struck a nerve—not just among fans of the dolls, but among all those who see in this story a reminder of the risks and rewards of chasing what we love, and the importance of protecting the communities that spring up around our passions.
The saga of the stolen Labubu dolls is far from over, but one thing is certain: in La Puente and beyond, the hunt for answers—and for justice—continues.
