They met to buy Pokémon cards. Then Durham Police say the gun came out.
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Kaire Dixon was arrested Friday in connection with the Elmira Park armed robbery.
- Police say Dixon and 18-year-old Cheo White threatened victims with a handgun.
- Dixon also faces robbery, conspiracy and second-degree kidnapping charges in Alamance.
Durham police arrested one man Friday and continue to search for another in an armed robbery involving a Pokémon card deal.
Officers responded to Elmira Park in Durham on Wednesday regarding a report of an armed robbery between a group who arranged to meet and purchase Pokémon cards.
Kaire Dixon, 19, was arrested Friday and charged with three counts of robbery with a dangerous weapon and two counts of conspiracy to commit robbery with a dangerous weapon.
But police continue to seek Cheo White, 18, of Durham, who they say was also responsible for the incident.
According to court documents, the pair stole $250 worth of an individual’s “personal property” while threatening the person with a handgun. They also took a second individual’s Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max, valued at $1,000, an arrest warrant states.
It’s not the pair’s first alleged offense. Police say the pair are also responsible for a similar robbery in Burlington that occurred days later.
Dixon now faces three felony charges in Alamance County for that incident: robbery with a dangerous weapon, conspiracy robbery with a dangerous weapon and second-degree kidnapping.
According to court records, the pair on Friday stole $7,179 worth of money or personal property from an individual while threatening him with a dark gray handgun. Dixon is also charged with kidnapping that individual, a warrant states, for the purpose of “facilitating” the robbery.
It’s unclear if the Burlington robbery also involved a Pokémon trade.
Dixon appeared in Durham District Court on Monday and was denied bail. A judge in the Alamance case also denied him bail. He is set for a first appearance hearing in Alamance County on Tuesday.
Robbery adds to growing list of Pokémon thefts
The Durham Pokémon theft marks the second in the Triangle area within a month. Cary police charged a Cabarrus County man and a 17-year-old in May with breaking into a Cary hobby shop and stealing at least $32,826 worth of trading cards, trading card boxes and cash.
And in October 2025, Pokémon thieves stole thousands of dollars worth of the trading cards from multiple Triangle shops.
Anyone with information about White’s location and the robberies may contact Investigator T. Blake of the Durham Police Department at 919-560-4440, ext. 29282. Anonymous tips may also be submitted through Durham CrimeStoppers at 919-683-1200 or online at durhamcrimestoppers.org. CrimeStoppers callers never have to identify themselves and may be eligible for a cash reward for information leading to an arrest.
