A gang of would-be thieves have spectacularly bungled an alleged Pokémon card heist after attacking a shop with sledgehammers – only to fail to get inside.
Dramatic CCTV shows five figures gathering outside the collectables store in the early hours of the morning.
Some of the group can be seen repeatedly swinging what appear to be sledgehammers at the entrance as they desperately try to smash their way in, as reported by Need To Know.
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But despite their efforts, the store’s security holds firm.
The group eventually gives up and flees empty-handed in a waiting vehicle.
The attempted raid targeted Sovereign Cards in North Lakes, north of Brisbane, Australia, in the early hours of Wednesday (16 Sep).
Police believe the group had their sights set on the store’s collection of potentially valuable trading cards.
Moreton District Superintendent Christopher Toohey said: “Earlier this morning there was an attempted break and enter on a card shop where they sell collector item cards.
“Entry was not gained, but we believe they were targeting these high-end collectable cards.”
No stock was taken during the bungled break-in.
The incident comes amid a surge in raids targeting collectable card shops across south-east Queensland, where rare Pokémon cards can change hands for thousands of pounds.
Police said other shops closer to Brisbane have already been targeted.
Supt Toohey said: “There are a number of card shops that have been targeted closer to Brisbane.
“This is the first one we’ve had here.
“We’ve now put out messaging to other shops in the area warning of the possibility of targeted crimes on their shops to steal those high-value cards.”
The attempted raid comes as collectors scramble to get their hands on cards released around Pokémon’s 30th anniversary.
At the centre of the frenzy are three ultra-rare versions of Mew in red, blue and green.
The odds of finding the sought-after cards have been reported as around one in 20,000, while one recent sale reached £10,800. ($20,000 AUD)
The extraordinary sums being paid for collectables have increasingly made card shops a target for thieves.
Earlier this month, a separate south-east Queensland store was reportedly targeted as part of the crime wave, while £92,000 ($170,000 AUD) worth of stock was stolen during a raid on Mint Collectables in Kedron.
Shop owners have responded by beefing up security and sharing information about suspicious activity.
But at Sovereign Cards, the measures appear to have paid off.
Despite repeatedly attacking the entrance, the group failed to breach the shop and escaped without any of its valuable stock.
The store owner is now offering a £1,080 ($2,000 AUD) reward for information leading to an arrest.
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