Labubu craze and $7,000 heist: Why the viral plush dolls are stolen
Labubu plush dolls
Labubu is a collectible plush toy created by Hong Kong illustrator Kasing Lung, featuring whimsical, toothy monsters inspired by Nordic folklore. Released in 2015 by How2Work and rising to prominence after 2019 collaboration with Pop Mart, the toy has become a hit among collectors worldwide.
Labubu’s unique design, think cute-but-gritty monsters with exaggerated expressions, paired with blind-box releases, limited editions, and celebrity endorsements (like BLACKPINK’s Lisa, Rihanna, and Dua Lipa), fueled a global frenzy. Some rare versions resell for hundreds to thousands of dollars, and auctions have even surpassed six figures.
The $7,000 Labubu Heist
On the early morning of August 6, 2025, a group of masked thieves smashed into One Stop Sales in La Puente, California. Surveillance footage shows them breaking glass doors, ransacking shelves, and walking off with dozens of Labubu boxes, leaving both the store and collectors stunned.
Authorities estimate the stolen value at around $7,000, though the store owner places the total closer to $25,000–30,000, citing rare variants priced up to $500 apiece. The thieves bypassed cash and electronics, seemingly targeting only Labubu inventory, suggesting the theft was well-planned, likely triggered by a social media restock post.
The getaway vehicle, a stolen Toyota Tacoma, was later recovered. The store remains in shock, pleading with the public for leads.
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What the Heist Reveals About the Labubu Trend
This heist shines a light on dark market dynamics driven by toy collector culture: scarcity, hype, resale value, and even crime. Labubu’s meteoric rise, fueled by Pop Mart’s marketing strategy, blind-box thrill, and celebrity attention, has made it more than a toy; it’s become a cultural commodity.
For merchants like One Stop Sales, popularity is a double-edged sword, bringing both booming demand and increased risk of theft or fraud.
Labubu’s story highlights how a quirky plush toy created by an independent artist can ignite global obsession, and even criminal schemes. As the hunt for the Labubu thieves continues, the incident reminds us of how pop culture and commerce collide in unexpected, and sometimes alarming ways.