Shop owners in Adelaide are increasing security measures due to a rise in thefts of valuable Pokémon trading cards. Benjamin Hill's collectibles store suffered a $20,000 loss from a break-in earlier this month. Police have arrested suspects and other shop owners like Hung Nguyen are installing additional security features such as fog alarms and new CCTV systems to protect their high-value inventory.
Written locally by qwen2.5:14b on 2026-10-09,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
Shop owners across Perth, Brisbane, and Melbourne are increasing security measures due to a surge in Pokémon card thefts. Benjamin Hill, a collectibles store owner from Blair Athol, experienced an alarming break-in in early September where nearly $20,000 worth of trading cards were stolen through the ceiling via the back toilet door. The thief targeted valuable Pokémon cards that typically range from 50 cents to $50 each but can sometimes sell for millions due to their rarity and high resale value. Mr. Hill noted the ease with which these cards can be concealed and resold, making them particularly appealing to thieves.
Written for “Pokémon Card Theft Rise” on 2026-10-09,
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In short:
Game and collectibles shop owners are bolstering their security because of a rise in Pokémon card thefts.
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owners → bolster → thefts
One card store owner says almost $20,000 worth of Pokémon and other trading cards were allegedly stolen from his shop.
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worth → say → shop
Another trader says these cards have a high resale value.
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cards → say → value
When Benjamin Hill went to his collectables store one day, he was shocked to find the ceiling smashed through and almost $20,000 worth of Pokémon and other trading cards gone.
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worth → go → Pokémon
I was aware this could happen, but you never think it would be you," the shop owner said.
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owner → happen → ?
"I was shaking a little bit as well; it took me a few days to get over it."
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it → shake → it
Mr Hill said the alleged thief had sneaked through the back toilet door and crawled through the ceiling at his Blair Athol shop in early September.
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thief → say → September
He said Pokémon trading cards could have been the target, as they generally cost between 50 cents and $50 but some rare cards were being auctioned for millions of dollars.
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cards → say → dollars
Mr Hill said these trading cards were high in value, untraceable and easy to resell.
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cards → say → value
"It's just a little bit of cardboard that can fit in your pocket.
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that → fit → pocket
You could have $1,000 in your pocket," he said.
uncertain
he → have → pocket
SA Police told ABC News a 47-year-old man was this week arrested and charged with serious criminal trespassing, theft and property damage over the alleged break-in at Mr Hill's store.
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man → tell → store
Mr Hill said he had since upgraded his security and taken all expensive items off site.
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he → say → site
Thefts on the rise
In recent months, tens of thousands of dollars' worth of trading cards were stolen from collectables shops in Brisbane, Perth and Melbourne.
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worth → steal → Brisbane
SA Police arrested a 29-year-old man who allegedly smashed a glass cabinet at a Noarlunga toy store and stole Pokémon cards last month.
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who → arrest → cards
ABC News spoke to several Adelaide shop owners, including one who was spending about $20,000, to bolster security measures such as installing bollards, fog alarms, roller shutters and new CCTV.
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who → speak → bollards
Card shop owner Hung Nguyen is one of those taking extra precautions.
"What's happening around Melbourne and Queensland, it's just made us think twice about looking into our security a bit more," he said.
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he → take → security
"I guess there's nothing stopping us from comparing ourselves to a jewellery shop."
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I → guess → shop
The Japanese game is 30 years old but Pokémon trading cards have seen a global resurgence in recent years, prompting its government to consider a clampdown on the industry.
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cards → see → industry
Due to a lack of supply, high demand and influx of investors, Pokémon cards are soaring in price, with an American YouTuber selling an ultra-rare card for a record $22.6 million this year.
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YouTuber → soar → record
Recently, these Japanese cards have been outperforming Bitcoin and the S&P 500 on the stock market.
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cards → outperform → market
"Like a box that was worth $100 to $200 is now worth $8,000," Mr Nguyen said.
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Nguyen → say → box
The trader said most of these cards were being resold for more than double their retail price.
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most → say → price
"You could say the return on investment is 100 per cent, which is crazy," Mr Nguyen said.
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Nguyen → say → investment
"So for them, it's, 'Why wouldn't I get into it and make a quick flip?'"
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I → get → flip
The Aporia