On Friday, August 15, 2025, at 2:08 a.m., officers with the Amarillo Police Department responded to a burglary at Mike’s Sports Cards, located inside White Lotus Spa on Paramount Street. The suspect forced entry through the front glass door of the business and stole approximately $40,000 worth of collectible sports cards and Pokémon cards.
APD Crime Analysts reviewed surveillance video and quickly developed information on the suspect and his vehicle. The suspect, identified as 38-year-old Daniel Zavala, was later located at a local “cash for gold” business in west Amarillo. Patrol officers stopped the vehicle Zavala was driving, which was also found to have a stolen license plate linked to a separate burglary at an Amarillo car dealership.
Detectives with the Property Crimes Unit, assisted by Patrol, executed two search warrants — one for Zavala’s vehicle and one for his room at the Camelot Hotel. During the searches, detectives recovered an estimated $30,000 in stolen property, including most of the cards stolen in the burglary and several additional stolen license plates. Detectives also discovered notes outlining plans for future burglaries, including targeted businesses and store hours.
Further investigation linked Zavala to a separate burglary in Lubbock that occurred in July.
This successful investigation was made possible through the collaboration of Crime Analysts, Patrol Officers, and Detectives. Patrol officers went above and beyond in identifying where the stolen cards were being sold and played a key role in the recovery.
The Amarillo Police Department’s Property Crimes Unit is thankful for the teamwork that led to Zavala’s arrest and the recovery of a large portion of the stolen property.
