A man from Oakland, California, has been arrested for allegedly stealing nearly $10,000 worth of Nintendo Switch games from multiple public libraries in Marin County, according to a June 17 statement by the Marin County Sheriff’s Office on Facebook. The thefts reportedly occurred across at least seven library branches between April and June 2025.
Authorities believe the suspect intentionally targeted libraries for their video game collections, focusing on Nintendo Switch titles. He is now facing 12 felony charges, including several counts of burglary and committing a felony while already out on bail.
Although libraries are not typically known for stocking popular video games, many have expanded their offerings to attract younger visitors. The continued success of the Nintendo Switch—and the recent release of the Switch 2—may have made these collections more appealing to potential thieves. It remains unclear if any of the stolen items included Switch 2 games.
In a public statement, the Sheriff’s Office emphasized the role of libraries in the community, writing, “Our libraries are pillars of the community and must be safeguarded for everyone to enjoy.”
The specific titles stolen have not been disclosed, but with individual games typically priced between $40 and $60, the estimated $10,000 value suggests that more than 150 games were taken. Authorities have not yet confirmed how the suspect intended to use or resell the games, and no information has been released on whether any of the stolen items have been recovered.
As the investigation continues, the Sheriff’s Office urges public support to help safeguard community resources like local libraries.
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