$7,000 Worth of Labubu Dolls Stolen, But Seriously, What’s a Labubu? – Organized Retail Crime (ORC)

If you don’t know what a Labubu is, picture a wide-eyed, snaggle-toothed little monster that somehow became a global collectible. Grown adults line up for them. People trade them online for hundreds, sometimes thousands, of dollars.

With demand that high and a limited-edition supply, it’s no surprise that we see $7,000 Worth of Labubu Dolls Stolen; collectibles like this attract thieves looking for quick, low-effort profit.

$7,000 Worth of Labubu Dolls Stolen, But Seriously, What’s a Labubu? - Organized Retail Crime (ORC)

@onestopsaless on instagram

 

Last week in the city of La Puente, a suburb of Los Angeles, an Organized Retail Crime (ORC) crew hit a specialty shop and kidnapped the store’s entire Labubu population.

  • They used a stolen pickup for transport.
  • They hit off-hours, when no one could intervene.
  • They quickly took 100% of inventory.
  • The stolen stock is likely already selling/sold online.

Lessons From $7,000 Worth of Labubu Dolls Stolen

The theft wasn’t a mystery, the store’s social media account posted three camera angles of it. The footage makes it clear how the crew got in and what they took. For security decision-makers, the vulnerabilities in it are hard to miss:

  • Glass-front entry points are weak spots
    • The store may have had bars over the large exterior display windows; if so, great move, but the front door? All glass. Reinforcing every potential entry point matters.
  • Security that only records isn’t enough
    • 3 camera angles captured the theft. The thieves still walked out with everything. Footage is great evidence for investigators, but it doesn’t stop a break-in in real time. Ask yourself: does your camera system make someone think twice about hitting you, or just give you better playback of the loss?
  • High-value items in plain sight are a gift to thieves
    • In the video, the crew simply grabbed the toys and walked out. Even if collectibles need to be visible during the day, they should be secured  after closing.
  • Pay attention to what you post
    • Before the theft, the owner went on social media and announced a big restock of Labubus. A quick scroll through the shop’s Instagram shows the dolls on easily accessible displays and a glass front door. Criminals use the same internet you do. If you’re showing your valuable products, the layout, and how things are stored, you’ve just made the top of someone’s target selection process.

@onestopsaless on instagram

We can’t say for sure if this Organized Retail Crime hit was inevitable, but it’s a wake-up call. It’s wise to assume any high-demand asset you control is already on someone’s radar. Many crimes start as crimes of opportunity, where a vulnerable target catches attention.

Sometimes security is simply about hardening and making your place more trouble than it’s worth, and giving thieves a reason to move on before they ever touch your door.

When You’re Ready, Talk to Us

If you want to protect your most valuable assets, whether it’s high-demand inventory, sensitive equipment, or a squad of furry monsters, we’re here to help.

Here’s how it works:

  1. Review your vulnerabilities: walk through your entry points, storage practices, and public footprint the way a criminal crew would.
  2. Get actionable fixes: From physical reinforcements to smarter product security, you’ll know exactly where to start.
  3. Stay ahead of threats: We help you implement measures that deter theft before it happens, not just record it after the fact.


About TAL Global

TAL Global is an international security consulting and risk management firm with over 25 years of proven experience. We protect people, places, assets, and logistics in an increasingly complex and connected world.

Our team includes former federal agents, military veterans, executive level leaders, and crisis response experts recognized for delivering results under pressure. We are trusted by Fortune 500 companies, government agencies, and mission driven organizations worldwide.

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