Men allegedly steal $50k worth of trading cards, including Pokemon and Yu-Gi-Oh
An organised crime syndicate who allegedly stole about $50,000 worth of a collector’s item has been put on notice.
About $50,000 worth of Pokemon and other collectable trading cards were allegedly stolen by an organised crime syndicate in Melbourne.
Police have arrested four people over the last week in an investigation into commercial burglaries.
The group allegedly stole six cryptocurrency ATMs from businesses in Hoppers Crossing, Bentleigh, Brunswick, Werribee and Vermont, and burgled three collector card stores in Epping, Moonee Ponds and Eumemmerring since mid January.
About $50,000 worth of trading cards, including Pokemon, Disney Lorcana, Yu-Gi-Oh, Magic the Gathering, Dragon Ball Z, AFL and NBA cards, were allegedly seized last week in searches across Reservoir, Coburg North, Greensborough and South Morang.
Police also allegedly seized five stolen firearms, about 100 stolen car keys, ammunition, stolen power tools and a pill press machine.
Detectives believe the group were using stolen cars to carry out the alleged offending.
Detective Inspector Patrick Watkinson said police were confident they’d found the “main offenders who were sharing their criminal trade craft with lesser offenders”.
He said police had also identified those lesser offenders as well as the Middle Eastern organised crime syndicates who were tasking the apprehended people.
“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,” Inspector Watkinson said.
“And to the organised familial crime syndicates operating across Melbourne, paying others to do your dirty work won’t keep you hidden.
“With every arrest we move one step closer to dismantling your enterprise and all those connected to it, seizing your illicit wealth and holding you accountable.
“Your luck will eventually run out!”
A 37-year-old Reservoir man and a 32-year-old Epping man were identified as the alleged primary offenders.
The Reservoir man was charged with 14 counts of burglary of commercial cryptocurrency ATM and commercial game stores, prohibited person possess trafficable quantity of firearms and prohibited person possess firearm and handle stolen goods.
He was remanded and is set to front Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on May 2.
The Epping man was charged with five commercial burglaries, three counts of theft of motor vehicle, theft, unlicensed driving, possess methamphetamine, drug of dependence and possess prohibited weapon.
He was remanded to front Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on February 21.
A 33-year old and 46-year-old, both from Reservoir, were released pending further investigation.
Anyone with information has been urged to come forward.
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