Vending

Thieves steal $20K in Pokémon cards from Australia vending machine

Photo: kittyfly - stock.adobe.com

October 6, 2025

Police are investigating the theft of more than $20,000 worth of Pokémon cards stolen from a vending machine in western Sydney, Australia, according to a 9 News report.

The break-in occurred around 3 a.m. at Greenway Plaza in Wetherill Park, where thieves smashed through two layers of tempered glass to reach the cards, according to owner Jack Hanna of Packgrab, a company that operates collectible card vending machines.

Hanna said more than 1,000 cards were taken. "Some of them are definitely very expensive," Hanna told the news outlet. "Fully stocked, I calculated one time it's like $26,000, on average."

Packgrab sells Pokémon, One Piece and Yu-Gi-Oh cards through vending machines inspired by similar setups in Japan. Police said the investigation into the theft is ongoing.