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Camera IconThe theft of Pokemon cards has risen since COVID. Credit: John Keeble\/Getty Images<\/p>\nForget catching \u2018em all \u2014 thieves have decided to steal em\u2019 all instead, with a Perth card store targeted in an early morning Pokemon raid.<\/p>\n
Al\u2019s Card Shop, located on Wellington St, has been a staple for WA fanatics wanting to update their card collection with the latest Magic the Gathering, AFL, or Pokemon releases.<\/p>\n
Even nerdy A-listers passing through the WA capital make sure to stop at the acclaimed CBD store to nab some cards, including Good Charlotte\u2019s leading duo Benji and Joel Madden who ventured to Al\u2019s back in February.<\/p>\n
On Monday, loyal customers were left shocked when the business revealed they would be \u2018closing until further notice\u2019 due to an early morning burglary.<\/p>\n
\u201cLooks like it\u2019s our turn to fall foul of all . . . who feel the need to steal what obviously isn\u2019t theirs,\u201d the owner of Al\u2019s Card Shop wrote in a public statement.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur shop has been broken into in the early hours of this morning \u2014 mainly Pokemon singles and slabs, no surprises there.\u201d<\/p>\n
The business has urged their collector patrons to keep an eye out for any products that \u2018perhaps do not look quite right\u2019.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are working on the inventory ASAP but can recollect a Kangaskhan BGS 8.5 with square corners \u2014 we will try and post some more later and stay safe everyone,\u201d the business ended their statement.<\/p>\n
WA Police confirmed to PerthNow that investigations into the Queen St incident remain ongoing.<\/p>\n
\u201cPerth detectives are investigating a burglary incident that occurred on Monday 21 September,\u201d a spokesperson said.<\/p>\n
\u201cAbout 2.40am, unknown individual(s) have forced entry to a store in Cine Centre Arcade, stealing a number of items before fleeing the scene.\u201d<\/p>\n
Fortunately, Al\u2019s has since revealed their sudden closure was short-lived \u2014 with the venue reopening their doors on Tuesday morning.<\/p>\n
The shocking crime is just the latest in a series of burglaries impacting trading card stores, with dozens of businesses around the globe being targeted for their Pokemon cards.<\/p>\n
Camera IconThe theft of Pokemon cards has risen since COVID. Credit: John Keeble\/Getty Images<\/p>\n
Pokemon trading cards have been around since the mid 1990s.<\/p>\n
The cards, which increase in value depending on rarity, have rapidly grown in popularity since COVID \u2014 and while the Japanese collectables are still a hobby for many, some are viewing the collectables as a lucrative investment.<\/p>\n
Packs of cards typically sell for less than $10, but individual rare cards can be resold for hundreds and even thousands of dollars \u2014 with criminals desperate to get their hands on the pricier cards.<\/p>\n
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Camera IconThieves steal thousands of dollars of Pokemon cards from a Melbourne store. Credit: 7NEWS<\/p>\n