Pre-trial Release Denied for Armed Robbery Suspect

23-year-old Chicago man charged with 5 felony counts after meeting victims through online marketplace

Apr. 2, 2026 at 10:33pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a shattered anime trading card, the harsh flash lighting creating a stark, gritty, investigative aesthetic that conceptually illustrates the violence of these robberies.A recent wave of armed robberies targeting online anime trading card sellers exposes the risks of in-person marketplace meetups.Chicago Today

A Cook County judge has denied pre-trial release for 23-year-old Anthony Garcia, who is charged with 5 felony counts of armed robbery. Over the course of about 2 weeks in March, Garcia allegedly arranged to meet online sellers of anime trading cards in the Gage Park neighborhood of Chicago, then displayed a gun and took the cards from the victims, who ranged in age from 19 to 29 years old.

Why it matters

This case highlights the risks of in-person transactions arranged through online marketplaces, as well as the potential for repeat offenders to continue committing crimes while out on bail. It also raises concerns about the prevalence of armed robberies targeting specific communities and hobbies in Chicago.

The details

According to police, Garcia arranged to meet the victims, all men, through online marketplace platforms to purchase anime trading cards. When the sellers arrived in the 5200 or 5300 blocks of South Kedzie in Chicago, Garcia allegedly displayed a gun and robbed them of the cards. Garcia was arrested on Tuesday after several of these armed robberies were reported over the weekend.

  • The incidents occurred over the course of about 2 weeks, from mid to late March 2026.
  • Garcia was arrested on Tuesday, March 31, 2026.
  • Garcia is scheduled to appear in court again on April 7, 2026.

The players

Anthony Garcia

A 23-year-old Chicago resident who is charged with 5 felony counts of armed robbery.

Cook County Judge

The judge who denied pre-trial release for Anthony Garcia.

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What they’re saying

“This case highlights the risks of in-person transactions arranged through online marketplaces, as well as the potential for repeat offenders to continue committing crimes while out on bail.”

— Brandon Ison, Author

What’s next

Garcia is scheduled to appear in court again on April 7, 2026, where the judge will determine if he will be allowed pre-trial release.

The takeaway

This case underscores the need for increased safety measures and oversight for online marketplace transactions, as well as the ongoing challenges of the criminal justice system in preventing repeat offenses by suspects out on bail.