ABC News: Nearly $1 million in rare trading cards, including highly valued Pokémon cards, were stolen from a FedEx truck parked near a Southern California business that authenticates and grades the collectible items, according to police. Read more:

Nearly $1 million in rare trading cards, including Pokémon and sports cards, were stolen from a FedEx truck in Southern California. The truck was parked outside the headquarters of Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA), a company that grades and authenticates collectible cards, when the theft occurred.

Reports indicate that over 200 packages containing graded cards were taken in what police describe as a planned heist. The incident is under investigation by local authorities.

The theft affects collectors and owners who had sent their cards to PSA for grading, as many of these cards are rare and highly valuable. The loss is significant not only in monetary terms but also because some cards may be irreplaceable to their owners.

The incident raises concerns about the security of high-value collectibles during shipping and may prompt changes in how such items are transported and protected.

The market for trading cards, especially Pokémon and sports cards, has seen a surge in value in recent years. PSA is a major company in the authentication and grading of these cards, making its facility a known location for high-value shipments.

As the value of trading cards has grown, so has the interest from thieves, leading to a rise in thefts targeting shipments and stores handling collectibles.

Authorities are expected to continue investigating the theft, and collectors will be watching for updates on any recovery of the stolen cards. Increased security measures for transporting valuable collectibles may also be discussed in the industry.