Pokemon Bandit, 14, Gets Probation, $100 Fine

A 14-year-old Huntington Beach boy accused of stealing 150 Pokemon cards from a schoolmate after running over him with a bicycle was sentenced to probation Thursday and ordered to pay $100 in restitution to the victim, prosecutors said.

The boy, who was not identified because he is a minor, also is required to complete 10 days of community work and 70 hours of volunteer service with local charities as part of his punishment, said Deputy Dist. Atty. Susan Kang.

The victim and his family were unavailable for comment. Kang said that they agreed with the sentence, which was worked out after the boy agreed to admit to grand theft.

“They were friends at one point, and [the family] felt the plea was more appropriate rather than robbery,” she said. “We believe this was in the best interest of justice, given all the circumstances of the case.”

Shortly after the Oct. 14 incident, authorities had charged the boy with robbery, a more serious crime that could carry a punishment of up to five years in juvenile detention.

Under the terms of the boy’s probation, he is not allowed to have contact with the victim, carry any weapons or have unexcused absences from school.

The cards, collectibles based on characters of a popular Japanese animated TV program, movie and video game, have been a headache for school officials around the country. Some schools have banned the cards, contending they disrupt classes and ignite playground brawls.

Pokemon’s more than 150 characters--with names like Picachu, Charizard and Wigglytuff--adorn the cards, which can fetch as much as $100 from collectors.

The case involved two boys, both 13 at the time, from Vista View Middle School in Fountain Valley.