A brazen thief has stolen a rare box of collectables worth more than $400 from a Melbourne CBD store — but not before turning to the camera, waving to hundreds of people watching a live broadcast, and asking how many viewers were tuned in. The incident unfolded at X-Playground, a collectables store in the heart of Melbourne's city centre, during a livestream the shop was hosting to mark its one-year anniversary.
Thief Plays to the Livestream Crowd
Footage of the theft shows the man staring directly into the camera and asking, "how many people are on your live?" before waving to the audience and fleeing the store with a prized set of Pokémon cards. Store manager Venus Ho said the individual was well aware of what he was doing and showed no concern about being caught.
"He can't see the numbers but he knows that people are watching him. It's a flex for him," Ho said. "We were very upset for his behaviour to be like, 'oh look, I'm stealing from you' and he knows that that's happening as well."
Ho described the incident as both frustrating and embarrassing, particularly given its timing. "It's actually very frustrating, especially happening on our birthday as well," she said. "It's just embarrassing. It's also very disappointing to see that kind of behaviour."
Community Left Shocked at Melbourne CBD Store
The theft was witnessed in real time by hundreds of viewers who were tuning in to celebrate the shop's milestone. Loyal customers have since expressed dismay at what took place. "It's sad that people go and do things like that and especially to openly say in the livestream 'this is what we're doing'," one regular said.
The stolen Pokémon cards carry significant market value due to their high desirability among dedicated collectors. X-Playground draws a tight-knit community of enthusiasts who visit not only to purchase items but simply to connect with staff and fellow collectors.
"All of our regulars, they come in every two days, every week, just to see us. They're not even buying, but they just want to come in and say hi," Ho said, underscoring the community atmosphere the store has built over its first year of operation.
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Police Investigation Under Way
Police are currently investigating the theft. No arrests have been reported at this stage. The incident has prompted wider discussion about security risks faced by small businesses, particularly when livestreaming events that attract large public audiences online.
Ho confirmed that the thief appeared to know exactly what he was taking, suggesting a degree of premeditation. The store's community has rallied around the business following the incident, with many customers expressing support for the team as the investigation continues.
