What Is Labubu? And Why Is It Driving Crime CA Sprees? Your Questions Answered

It seems that anywhere you turn your head these days, it's Labubu this and Labubu that. The famous-turned-infamous figurines can be seen dangling from belt loops and purses alike. And lately, they're making the crime blotters.

But before we get into the nitty-gritty (ahem, a $37,000 worth of stolen Labubus type of gritty), let's answer the question you've been too embarrassed to ask Gen Z about.

What the heck is Labubu?

Here’s a quick primer on what these figurines are and why they’ve captured the hearts (and wallets) of so many young collectors. Labubu is essentially a plush doll that can vary wildly in size, color, etc. They've also become a very popular fashion accessory, as you may have already noticed — it would be hard not to.

The concept of the creature was created by Hong Kong-born, Netherlands-raised artist Kasing Lung, who introduced the rabbit-eared animal in his 2015 story series "The Monsters", inspired heavily by Nordic mythology.

The illustrated series is about a tribe of female elves known as Labubus.

"That's why I wanted to create something that I've always known existed in my heart," Lung said in an interview with CGTN Europe. "It's amazing that so many people love it."

Labubus are portrayed as kind-hearted and eager to lend a hand, though their well-meaning efforts can occasionally cause a bit of chaos. Lung says the series includes around 100 different characters.

Although the Labubu tribe, so to speak, has been around for a decade, it seems the craze only recently took hold. Today, the toothy figurine is a global pop culture icon, with hundreds of versions sold worldwide — ranging in price from about $20 to well over $1,000.

In June, a life-size Labubu was even auctioned off in China for more than $170,000, and there were nearly 1,000 bidders.

Why is this happening?

Well, the little elf's popularity began building in 2019, when Lung teamed up with Chinese toy company, POP MART.

Labubu's fast ascension also came in part because of the recent blind box craze, which turns collecting into a game of chance and fuels demand for rare, high-value figures.

More recently, a much cheaper imitation has arisen — Lafufu. That faux creature caused such a stir in the collector community that several outlets, including USA TODAY, felt the need to put out articles like this one: Is your Labubu real? We spot differences between Pop Mart dolls and 'Lafufus'.

Like its furry-bodied, plastic face predecessor, Monchhichi, Labubu has tapped into the blind box and collectible toy trend that arguably first arrived in the U.S. in 2023.

Today's Labubu insanity could also be likened to the Beanie Baby craze of the 1990s. Or the Pokémon card chaos in the late 90s and early aughts.

Now, onto the part where Labubu starts to inspire crime. Remember, the little creature does inspire chaos, as told by its creator.

$37,000: A Double Labubu Heist

Two minors who worked at a warehouse in San Bernardino County are accused of the Southland’s largest Labubu heist to date, allegedly stealing more than $30,000 worth of the popular dolls, authorities told Patch on Wednesday.

"Kids these days," Sgt. Shauna Hill of the Chino Police Department said. Indeed.

On Aug. 4, officers responded to USE Logistics in Chino after the business reported a burglary in which the owners said $40,000 worth of goods was stolen, according to the department.

Detectives determined that two suspects, who were later found to be employees, had staged multiple boxes containing Labubu figurines on July 31. Between Aug. 1 and 3, the pair returned to the closed business at different times to retrieve the staged boxes of the little monsters, police said.

Security footage recovered from the business and reviewed by police showed the suspects and the vehicles they used in the thefts.

On Aug. 8, police served a search warrant to a home in Upland, where approximately $30,000 worth of Labubus were found. The juvenile suspect attempted to flee the house but was apprehended by police, the department said.

The second teen was apprehended in Ontario on Aug. 12. Both teenagers were booked into the San Bernardino County Juvenile Hall on suspicion of burglary and conspiracy to commit burglary.

The stolen figurines were returned to the warehouse.

During the same week these burglaries were reported, another Labubu heist was underway in Los Angeles County.

On Aug. 6, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department said that masked robbers broke into a store in La Puente and stole about $7,000 worth of the wildly popular dolls.

The suspects used a stolen Toyota Tacoma to steal some $7,000 worth of Labubus, the department said. The truck was recovered shortly after the incident.

"Today we got robbed, and they took all of our inventory, trashed our store, we are still in shock, if you guys can share this post please and help us find these [thieves]," the store owners wrote in a post.

Sgt. Hill confirmed that the two incidents were not related.