Four arrests made in Pokemon Trading Card theft crackdown

Hurrah!

Four arrests have been made in relation to a string of Pokemon Trading Card Collectible thefts, Victoria Police today confirmed.

“Detectives from the North West Metro Regional Crime Squad arrested four people over the last week as part of their investigation into the commercial burglaries,” Victoria Police advised in a statement. “It’s alleged the group were involved in stealing six cryptocurrency ATMs, as well as committing a recent series of burglaries at collector card stores since mid January.”

Victoria Police allege the four arrested had targeted three collectable card stores in Eumemmerring, Moonee Ponds, and Epping, though a number of other Victorian-based stores have experienced break-ins and thefts in the last six months. Other regions impacted include Thomastown, Ravenhall, Greensborough, Sunshine, and Clayton.

“The investigation led police to uncovering an Aladdin’s cave of items, including approximately $50,000 worth of collectable trading cards,” Victoria Police stated.

The arrested include a 37-year-old man, a 33-year-old man, and a 46-year-old man all from Reservoir, alongside 32-year-old man from Epping.

“We are confident that we have apprehended the main offenders who were sharing their criminal trade craft with lesser offenders,” said North West Metro Regional Crime Squad, Detective Inspector Patrick Watkinson.

“Police have also identified the lesser offenders supplying stolen goods and more importantly the Middle Eastern Organised Crime Syndicates tasking the apprehended offenders,” Watkinson continued. “Our focus continues to be on bringing the suppliers to justice, while intensifying efforts on impacting the illicit lifestyles of those involved in organised crime.”