Authorities in Los Angeles County are investigating a daring smash-and-grab burglary in which masked thieves stole around USD 7,000 worth of Labubu dolls from a store in La Puente. The incident occurred early Wednesday morning, about 29 kilometers east of downtown Los Angeles.
According to the LA County Sheriff’s Department, the suspects arrived in a stolen Toyota Tacoma and forced their way into the shop. The vehicle was later recovered, but the burglars remain at large. Officials have not yet released further details on the number of suspects or possible leads.
Surveillance footage released by the victim, toy retailer One Stop Sales, shows several individuals wearing hoodies and face coverings breaking into the store shortly after 2 am local time. The thieves moved quickly, rifling through shelves and carrying out boxes of merchandise.
Store owner Avendano told ABC7 that she awoke with a “gut feeling” to check her phone. Motion alerts from the shop’s security system confirmed her fears. “Once I checked my phone, I saw there was motion, a sound that was coming through the front,” she said. “I was watching everything, from when they got in, what they were taking. I was panicking because I couldn’t do anything.”
Losses Go Beyond Price Tag
While the sheriff’s department estimates USD 7,000 in stolen goods, Avendano says the financial hit is far greater. “There was a lot taken, maybe around USD 30,000 or more of inventory,” she explained. “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.”
One Stop Sales also shared its frustration and appeal for help on Instagram: “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 thieves.”
Labubu Dolls: A Coveted Collectible
The stolen merchandise consists mainly of Labubu dolls, whimsical yet toothy monster figurines created by Hong Kong-born artist Kasing Lung. Since their introduction a decade ago, the collectibles have gained a cult following worldwide. Many fetch prices on the resale market far above their original retail value, making them a target for thieves.
The LA County Sheriff’s Department is urging anyone with information about the break-in to come forward. For Avendano, the priority is not only recovering the stolen goods but also rebuilding trust and security after the ordeal. “We’re still in shock,” she said, “but we have to keep going.”