In the midst of skyrocketing demand for the newly released Nintendo Switch 2, a man in Oakland, California has been arrested for allegedly stealing over $10,000 worth of Nintendo Switch games from local public libraries.
The arrest took place on June 17, after an investigation revealed a pattern of theft across at least seven libraries in Marin County. Authorities say the man intentionally targeted libraries known to lend out popular Nintendo Switch titles, such as The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.
According to a statement posted by the Marin County Sheriff’s Office, the thefts occurred between April and June, with the suspect allegedly checking out valuable titles and never returning them—later reselling them online for profit.
This case emerges as the Nintendo Switch 2 becomes Nintendo’s fastest-selling console, racking up over 3.5 million units sold globally in its first week alone. Supplies have been hard to come by, and the resulting shortage has fueled a surge in secondary market sales and thefts—including a recent delivery truck heist in Texas that saw an entire shipment of Switch 2 units stolen en route to a GameStop.
As demand for Nintendo’s latest system and its accessories skyrockets, scalpers and opportunists have ramped up activity—some turning to crime to cash in on the console craze. This latest case highlights how even public libraries, which increasingly carry video games to appeal to younger patrons, are not immune to these trends.
Local officials have since urged libraries to review their lending policies and tighten inventory controls to prevent similar incidents in the future. Meanwhile, the suspect in Oakland now faces multiple charges, including grand theft and fraud.
As the hype around the Switch 2 continues to grow, authorities warn that more crimes of this nature may follow unless tighter protections are put in place.