The Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA) has been grappling with a surge in burglaries targeting trading card game shops, with two recent incidents reported in Ajax. The first break-in occurred at Mintink Trading Card Shop and Live Experience on June 14 at approximately 5:45 a.m. The shop is situated near Salem Road North and Taunton Road East. According to manager Marc Belmonte, an alert from a nearby individual who heard the alarm and breaking glass led to the alert of the Durham Regional Police.
Surveillance footage, shared on Instagram, depicted four masked individuals breaching several security measures, including breaking through the lower section of the front door and smashing their way into the vestibule. During this chaotic entry, one suspect was accidentally struck by a miniature sledgehammer. Belmonte described the break-in as both organized and haphazard, noting that one individual appeared to be communicating with someone via phone while others hastily collected expensive merchandise from the shop's hobby wall.
This isn't the first time the Mintink Trading Card Shop has faced theft; Belmonte lamented the ongoing impact on their insurance costs resulting from these thefts. He expressed his frustration, stating, "Theft is just such a heinous act; it's criminal, it's stupid... I wish it would stop happening."
Just 15 minutes later, another local business, We Got Gamez, was also targeted. Owner Kamal Lalli reported that a vehicle parked outside his establishment on Kingston Road West near Church Street North, with multiple individuals attempting to force their way in. They first encountered a display case blocking the front door and then managed to force open a steel barrier behind an adjoining glass door.
Video footage provided by Lalli illustrated the suspects swiftly grabbing various items from shelves, including Pokémon products. They appeared aware of the shop’s cameras and emboldened by their audacity. Lalli expressed feelings of violation and disappointment, emphasizing that the crime not only impacted his business but also affected his family directly, stating, "You stole from my children, and it’s hurtful." He estimated that losses could exceed $100,000, complicating efforts to compile an inventory for insurance claims due to the fast-paced nature of trading card sales.
Despite the challenges, Lalli remains committed to his community, sharing a message directed towards the criminals. He recalled a recent trip to Sault Ste. Marie to acquire a significant collection of Pokémon items intended for a Canada Day sale, much of which was stolen.
In their quests for justice, both Lalli and Belmonte have been in contact with Durham Regional Police for updates on their cases. The police confirmed they received reports for both incidents but could not comment on active investigations. Notably, there have been 174 reports of commercial break-ins across Durham Region, although the specifics regarding trading card game shops remain unclear.
These incidents reflect a broader pattern of retail crimes in the GTHA, with previous reports of similar burglaries affecting trading card shops in Toronto, Guelph, and Hamilton in mid-June. Lalli recalled hearing of further incidents occurring around the same period, highlighting that this trend was not isolated to Ajax.
Retail crime is a growing concern across Canada, with Rui Rodrigues, an advisor from the Retail Council of Canada, noting that violence against employees and property theft has reached alarming rates. Rodrigues cited a significant rise in retail losses over recent years, with the 2024 report estimating approximately $9.1 billion in retail losses, a steep increase from figures in prior years.
The factors behind this surge include repeat offenders, weakened penalties, and the rise of organized crime rings, particularly linked to illicit online marketplaces. Rodrigues stressed the importance of educating the public to be cautious when purchasing items from unknown sellers online, as this could inadvertently support organized crime.
While both business owners were grateful for the support from the trading card game community, they expressed concerns about the impact on their operations. Belmonte emphasized the need to prioritize safety for both employees and customers, while Lalli highlighted the necessity for collective community efforts to combat crime. "We want to stay positive... it’s really, really difficult. I hope that feeling goes away,” he concluded.
