Pokémon card shops targeted in $170,000 theft spree
Thieves stole more than $170,000 in trading cards from a Brisbane store and targeted four other Queensland retailers in August.
Trading card retailers across Brisbane and the Gold Coast faced a coordinated theft spree in August, with one store losing more than $170,000 in a single break-in. Mint Collectables was hit by thieves who smashed the door in the early morning, grabbed valuable Pokémon boxes and sealed products in about 10 minutes.
Three of five targeted stores were reportedly hit within two hours on August 18. Store manager Will Swaine said some smaller retailers face potential closure after such losses.
Pokémon cards lack serial numbers, making stolen stock difficult to trace. Card values have doubled or tripled in recent years, with individual cards worth up to $10,000.
Retailers are now moving high-value inventory off-site overnight.
- $170,000+
- Amount stolen from Mint Collectables
- 5
- Stores targeted in August
- 3 within 2 hours
- Stores hit on August 18
- Doubled or tripled
- Card value increase
Why it mattersThe thefts show how valuable collectible trading cards have become and that retailers and collectors face rising security risks as demand and prices climb.
AustraliaAustralian trading card collectors and small retailers face increased theft risk, forcing shops to reduce in-store inventory and implement new security measures.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 4 h ago
Open this story in InSnip →
