The Devastating Theft at a Melbourne Hobby Shop
A shattered window, a stolen laptop, and a broken glass shelf that once held Pokémon cards worth thousands of dollars — this was the scene that hobby shop owner Alex Balykov faced after burglars targeted his store in the Melbourne suburb of Hughesdale. The incident occurred just months after the shop first opened, leaving Balykov in shock and frustration.
According to police, the suspect managed to take the stolen trading cards and flee on a “motorbike with no plates.” This event highlights a growing trend in recent years: the rising value of Pokémon cards has attracted criminal attention. Speculation about their financial worth has turned into a global phenomenon, and with it, an increase in crimes related to the hobby.
Data from the Crime Statistics Agency shows a sharp rise in trading card-related crimes in Victoria. In 2021, there were only nine burglary, break-and-enter, or theft cases involving retail stores. By 2025, this had increased to nearly one incident per week, with 50 incidents reported last year alone — a more than 455% increase over four years.
Balykov believes the thief who targeted his shop lacked a deep understanding of the trading card market. He mentioned that the burglar was close to stealing several thousand dollars’ worth of other cards but failed to recognize their value. “He wasn’t smart enough,” Balykov said.
Since the April burglary, Balykov has taken additional measures to protect his inventory. “Everything’s now being taken off display and locked up,” he explained. “Unfortunately, this is just a new reality I live in now. Just worrying about something being broken into again.”
The Global Phenomenon of Pokémon Cards
Since its launch in 1996, Pokémon has grown into the world’s highest-grossing media franchise, spanning video games, anime series, movies, merchandise, and trading cards. While packs of Pokémon cards can be purchased for less than $10, individual rare cards can fetch hundreds, thousands, or even millions of dollars on the resale market.
The pandemic brought renewed interest in the hobby, with internet personalities like Logan Paul playing a significant role. In February 2026, Paul sold a Japanese language Pikachu card for US$16.4 million (approximately $22.7 million), making it the most expensive Pokémon card ever sold. This staggering value has made some cards attractive targets for criminals.
Melbourne hobby shops that sell Pokémon cards have had to invest more in security or move high-value products during closing hours. Trent Clarke, another hobby shop owner, has also experienced attempts to steal his store’s stock of trading cards. He emphasized that these crimes affect not only the store owners but also the broader community of enthusiasts.
“If somebody comes in here and steals from us, they’re not just stealing from myself and my family, they’re taking from everybody else who has put their money, belief, trust, time, effort, love, passion into this business as well,” Clarke said. “Every weeknight, we have 100 plus people in here. We come in and disrupt the flow of that, 100 people get affected, and that’s not good.”
A Growing Concern for Small Business Owners
Small business owners believe they are more frequently targeted than large franchises like EB Games, which also stock trading cards. Camilla Hanbury, the brand director of EB Games, acknowledged the growing popularity of Pokémon and the associated risks. “While incidents reported in the media are concerning, our focus remains on creating a safe and welcoming environment for our teams and customers in every store.”
Anxiety among hobby shop owners reached a peak after a series of attacks in 2025. To address this, shop owners formed a group chat to share information about robberies and attempts by criminals to resell stolen products. According to reports, hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of product had been stolen, with ten incidents reported to the group in the past two months.
Clarke highlighted the importance of community support among hobby shop owners. “We have to safeguard ourselves as a community because, for lack of a better term, we’re all in the same industry,” he said. “We’re all here for the same goal … it’s to have a good time. It’s to enjoy and be passionate about the things that happen within these stores.”
Community Support After the Robbery
Despite the challenges, Balykov noted that his customers have shown strong support following the robbery. Many contributed to a “window fund” even though he didn’t need the extra help. “Everyone that supported me, I couldn’t thank you enough,” he said. “The community has been more than responsive and more than amazing.”
