A California shop specializing in the wildly popular Labubu collectible dolls was hit by thieves this week, with losses estimated at about $7,000, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
The break-in happened around 1:29 a.m. on Aug. 6 at One Stop Sales in La Puente, a store known for its Labubu dolls and accessories. Co-owner Joanna Avendano told media the theft was devastating.
“We worked so hard to get to this point, [only] for them just to come in and, like nothing, take it all away,” she said.
Surveillance footage posted by the shop shows at least four masked suspects smashing their way in, sweeping merchandise from shelves, and fleeing with boxes of toys. Photos from the scene reveal shattered glass at the entrance and scattered products littering the floor.
Deputies say the suspects remain at large, though the stolen white Toyota Tacoma used in the burglary has been recovered.
First released in China in 2015, Labubus have surged in global popularity, spotted in the collections of celebrities like Rihanna, Lizzo, and BLACKPINK’s Lisa. The designer toy brand, created by Chinese company Pop Mart, doubled its revenue in 2024 to $1.8 billion. While each doll retails for around $30, rare editions can fetch hundreds or even thousands of dollars on the resale market.
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Part of the appeal lies in the “blind box” sales method, where buyers don’t know which figure they’re getting until they open it.
“If you don’t get what you want, you’ve got to go buy another one,” explained Alex DePaoli, a marketing professor at Northeastern University. “A lot of folks have likened it to almost gambling.”
The frenzy has also given rise to counterfeit knockoffs known as “Lafufus,” which are made from lower-quality materials and often differ in design from authentic Labubus.
“They’re not just toys,” DePaoli said. “They’re accessories—things you collect to dress up, display, and even complete an outfit.”
