A shattered window, a stolen laptop computer, and a damaged glass shelf that beforehand held Pokémon playing cards value 1000’s of {dollars}, now lacking.
This was the scene pastime store proprietor Alex Balykov walked into final month after burglars focused his store within the Melbourne suburb of Hughesdale, simply months after it first opened.
In response to police, a suspect positioned the stolen buying and selling playing cards in a purchasing bag and fled on a “bike with no plates”.
Speculating on the monetary worth of Pokémon playing cards has developed into a world pattern lately, and crime related to the pastime has risen accordingly.
Uncommon Pokémon playing cards can promote for a whole lot and even 1000’s of {dollars}. ( ABC Information: Erielle Sudario)
Buying and selling card-related crimes in Victoria rose from simply 9 housebreaking, break-and-enter or theft circumstances at retail shops in 2021 to virtually one every week in 2025, in accordance with the Crime Statistics Company.
There have been 50 incidents of such crimes final yr — a rise of greater than 455 per cent in 4 years.
However Mr Balykov believes the person who focused his retailer appeared to have a restricted understanding of the buying and selling card market, he stated.
“He was just about a hand-length away from getting a couple of thousand {dollars}’ value of different playing cards,” Mr Balykov stated.
“However clearly, the thief wasn’t good sufficient.”
A card retailer at Hughesdale has its window shattered attributable to a housebreaking. (Equipped: Alex Balykov)
For the reason that April housebreaking, Mr Balykov has taken further precautions to guard his inventory from additional assaults.
“Every thing’s now being taken off [display] and locked up,” Mr Balykov stated.
“Sadly, that is only a new actuality I reside in now. Simply worrying about one thing being damaged into once more.“
Pokémon card buying and selling sees explosion of recognition
Since launching in 1996, Pokémon has change into the world’s highest-grossing media franchise, spanning video video games, anime collection, films, merchandise, and buying and selling playing cards.
Packs of Pokémon playing cards may be bought for lower than $10, however particular person uncommon playing cards may be resold for a whole lot, 1000’s and even tens of millions of {dollars}.
Web personalities akin to Logan Paul fuelled public curiosity within the pastime throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
In February 2026, he bought a Japanese language Pikachu card for US$16.4 million ($22.7 million), making it the costliest Pokémon card to this point.
And the eye-watering worth of some playing cards has put them on the radar of criminals.
Melbourne pastime retailers that promote Pokémon playing cards stated they have been compelled to spend extra on safety or to maneuver high-value merchandise throughout closing hours.
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Passion store proprietor Trent Clarke has additionally had folks attempt to steal his retailer’s inventory of buying and selling playing cards.
He stated the burglaries not solely affected the shop homeowners, but in addition the group that engages within the pastime.
“If any individual is available in right here and steals from us, they are not simply stealing from myself and my household, they’re taking from all people else who has put their cash, perception, belief, time, effort, love, ardour into this enterprise as effectively,” Mr Clarke stated.
“After which it scales down. Each week, each weeknight, we now have 100 plus folks in right here. We are available in and disrupt the stream of that, 100 folks get affected, and that is not good. That sucks.”
This Van Gogh-inspired Pikachu card is value over $1,000. ( ABC Information: Erielle Sudario)
Small enterprise homeowners suspect they’re focused extra ceaselessly than massive franchises that inventory buying and selling playing cards, akin to EB Video games.
“Buying and selling card video games, notably Pokémon, have grown considerably in recognition lately, which has elevated demand throughout the business,” EB Video games model director Camilla Hanbury stated.
“Whereas incidents reported within the media are regarding, our focus stays on making a secure and welcoming atmosphere for our groups and clients in each retailer.”
Hobbyist group bands collectively amid rising crime
Anxiousness amongst pastime store homeowners reached a degree after a collection of assaults in 2025 that they created a gaggle chat to inform one another of robberies and makes an attempt by criminals to resell stolen merchandise.
House owners beforehand informed the ABC they believed a whole lot of 1000’s of {dollars} value of product had been stolen.
Ten incidents have been reported to the group previously two months.
Mr Clarke stated that the camaraderie amongst him and different card store homeowners in Melbourne, whether or not it is by way of a gaggle chat or face-to-face contact, had created a assist system.
The Pokemon buying and selling card sport debuted in 1996 and entails gamers utilizing their playing cards to battle one another. (ABC Information: Emilie Gramenz)
“We now have to safeguard ourselves as a group as a result of, for lack of a greater time period, we’re all in the identical business,” he stated.
“We’re all right here for a similar aim … it is to have a very good time.
“It is to get pleasure from and be passionate in regards to the issues that occur inside these shops.”
Alex receiving coin fee from clients ( ABC Information: Erielle Sudario)
Mr Balykov stated his clients had additionally proven sturdy assist within the wake of his store being robbed, together with offering spare change to a “window fund” despite the fact that he did not want the additional assist.
“Everybody that supported me, I could not thanks sufficient,” he stated.
“The group has been greater than responsive and greater than wonderful.”
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