Thieves have raided a Thomastown collectables store twice in the past few months, crimes fuelled the owner suspects by the lucrative black market trade in Pokemon cards.
In the latest incident two thieves broke into Blacklist Cards and Collectables on Prime Street on Monday February 3 about 4.30am. They forced their way into the store using a crowbar to jemmy open a roller door.
The offenders smashed a display cabinet and forced entry to a storage area, stealing a large quantity of trading cards before fleeing the scene.
Store owner Umit Berkant, who only has been operating the business for nine months, said more than $20,000 worth of items were stolen.
“We’ve obviously come back full circle … and this time, there was damage done to the items inside. They smashed the glass cabinet, they ripped down the card display wall … and they broke into the roller door,” he said.
Mr Berkant said being hit twice was “demoralising”.
“This isn’t just something for fun at the end of the day, this is like our livelihoods, and I’m trying to make a for name myself, and we have a very positive community here,” he said.
“A lot of lovely people come in and try to support us, and it’s obviously disheartening knowing that this stuff happens, and you really can’t do much about it.”
Police confirmed to Star Weekly that they had charged a man following a burglary at a Prime Street business in Thomastown on November 30. They allege the man gained access to a trading card store by smashing a glass panel in the early hours of the morning. The man allegedly stole a quantity of trading cards before fleeing.
A 27-year-old Tarneit man was charged with burglary, theft and criminal damage. He was bailed to appear before the Heidelberg Magistrates’ Court on March 6.
Anyone who has CCTV, dashcam footage or any other information that could assist investigators is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
