Charges laid after $50,000 worth of Pokemon cards found at Melbourne home
Four people have been charged after police dismantled an organised crime syndicate allegedly involved in burglaries targeting Pokemon cards across Melbourne.
Police allege the group stole six cryptocurrency ATMs and committed a series of burglaries at collector card stores since mid-January.
The group allegedly targeted three collectable card stores in Epping, Moonee Ponds and Eumemmerring.
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Police executed warrants in Reservoir, Coburg North, Greensborough and South Morang last week. Victoria Police
Meanwhile, ATMs were allegedly stolen from Hoppers Crossing, Bentleigh, Brunswick, Werribee and Vermont businesses.
Detectives believe the group allegedly used stolen cars to commit the crimes.
Police executed warrants in Reservoir, Coburg North, Greensborough and South Morang last week.
About $50,000 worth of collectable trading cards including Pokemon, Disney Lorcana, Yu-Gi-Oh, Magic the Gathering, Dragon Ball Z, AFL and NBA were found.
The group allegedly targeted three collectable card stores in Epping, Moonee Ponds and Eumemmerring. Nine
Five allegedly stolen firearms, 100 car keys to allegedly stolen cars, ammunition, a pill press machine and stolen power tools were all seized by police.
Police allege a 37-year-old man from Reservoir and a 32-year-old man from Epping were two of the alleged primary offenders.
The 37-year-old was charged with a string of offences including 14 counts of burglary of commercial cryptocurrency ATM and commercial games stores.
Tens of thousands of dollars worth of Pokemon cards were allegedly taken in the spree. Nine
He was remanded to appear at Melbourne Magistrates' Court on May 2.
The 32-year-old Epping man was also charged with several offences including five commercial burglaries.
He was remanded to appear at Melbourne Magistrates' Court on February 21.
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Four people have been charged after police dismantled an organised crime syndicate. Victoria Police
Two other men, a 33-year-old and a 46-year-old both from Reservoir were released pending further investigation.
Detective Inspector Patrick Watkinson said police were confident they had apprehended the main offenders.
"This was a highly organised and coordinated police operation, and we thank the vigilance of the affected trading card community and the invaluable support from industry partners – which assisted in the dismantling of a significant network of offenders," he said.
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