A burglary at Dad's Dugout in Brentwood has been connected to a multi-state trading card theft ring responsible for stealing more than $31,000 in rare merchandise, according to an arrest affidavit first reported by WSMV.

Philip Clodfelter was arrested Monday, Oct. 12, in Nashville, WSMV reported. He was booked on charges of vandalism, property theft and burglary. His bond was set at $20,000.

The Metro Nashville Police Department confirmed that a second suspect, Kelly Garner, has not been arrested for her alleged involvement.

The Donelson break-in

The investigation centers on a Sept. 2, 2024, burglary at the Game Cave on Lebanon Pike in Donelson. Two suspects smashed the glass front door, grabbed rare Pokémon and Magic: The Gathering cards and fled, according to the affidavit. Store owner Clay Williams estimated the stolen cards were worth more than $31,000.

Detectives traced the stolen merchandise to resale locations in Alabama. A store called Card Addicts in Pelham notified local police of a suspicious sale the day after the burglary, the affidavit states. Two days later, the owner of Sports Nuts in Alabaster reported purchasing rare cards for $2,375 and finding the transaction suspicious after the fact.

Surveillance trail

Surveillance footage helped detectives identify Clodfelter and Garner, according to the affidavit. The pair allegedly used a white Honda Accord at each location, swapping out license plates between stops. They sometimes displayed a Florida plate.

Both suspects were also linked to a burglary at Dad's Dugout in Brentwood. The same white Honda Accord was used, but it carried a stolen Tennessee tag during the Brentwood theft, the affidavit states. The affidavit does not detail what was taken from Dad's Dugout or when that burglary occurred.

Williams told WSMV he felt relieved after learning of the arrest. "Yeah, definitely, knowing that it shouldn't happen again, definitely feels better," Williams said.

Garner has not been arrested. Anyone with information about the thefts can contact the Metro Nashville Police Department.