UPDATE: A mother in Hesperia, California is urgently warning others about online selling risks after her daughter was targeted in a shocking theft involving a highly sought-after Starbucks Hello Kitty plush. The incident occurred on Thursday evening, just hours after Starbucks launched its popular holiday merchandise line, which has left many sellers vulnerable to opportunistic thieves.
Around 5:40 PM, the mother, identified as Cristina, reported that her daughter was set to meet a buyer who claimed to be interested in the limited-edition collectible. The man, who appeared to be a verified user from nearby Victorville, communicated through OfferUp and promised to pay via Zelle.
Upon arrival in a black Cadillac sedan, the suspect asked to take a video of the plush for his girlfriend while remaining inside the vehicle. “He grabbed the plush through the window and sped off,” Cristina recounted, adding that the vehicle’s rear license plate had been removed before the theft. After the incident, her daughter immediately contacted 911, and local authorities were alerted.
Law enforcement officials from the Hesperia Police Department, part of the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, are now investigating. Cristina noted that other users on OfferUp in the High Desert region have reported receiving similar suspicious messages from the same account, suggesting a potential pattern of targeting multiple sellers.
The theft coincided with the launch of Starbucks’ 2025 holiday merchandise line, which has seen the Hello Kitty and “Bearista” items sell out in hours, leading to resale prices skyrocketing between $100 and $600 on various online platforms. This high demand has unfortunately made sellers more attractive targets for theft.
“People need to be careful,” Cristina emphasized. “You never think something like this will happen in your own neighborhood.” She aims to raise awareness and prevent others from experiencing similar incidents, as her family now feels uneasy knowing the suspect knows their address.
Authorities recommend utilizing designated “safe exchange zones” for online sales, such as local sheriff’s stations or well-lit public areas, to ensure safer transactions.
Anyone with information regarding the theft is urged to contact the Hesperia Police Department at (760) 947-1500 or the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Dispatch at (760) 956-5001.
As this story develops, the community remains on high alert. Stay tuned for further updates and protect yourself when engaging in online sales.
