A Chermside anime store in Brisbane says its security footage appears to show a family, which the store describes as a group of six including a woman carrying a baby, leaving with Yu-Gi-Oh! products without paying.
How the Store Found Out
The alleged theft happened at Popu Anime in Westfield Chermside on 23 September, according to the store. It says the matter went unnoticed until the next morning, when staff ran a routine count of the trading card stock and the Yu-Gi-Oh! numbers did not match. Ethan, the store’s team leader and supervisor, then went through the security footage. He reported what he saw to police that same day, the store says.
What the Store Says the Footage Shows
The store says the family walked in together and then split up. A man and a young girl went to the counter and asked staff about One Piece trading card stock. Elsewhere in the shop, a woman holding a baby and a younger boy moved to the Yu-Gi-Oh! display.
Ethan alleged the questions at the counter gave the other pair time to take items. He said the boy put six Burst Protocol booster packs in a small crossbody bag, while the woman placed a 2025 Mega-Pack Tin and a Fire King Structure Deck in the lower part of the pram. The family then left without paying, he said, straight away and with no sign of rush. The store’s account does not describe a sixth member of the group.
How the Team Took It
Ethan said the part that stood out was the children’s apparent role. He alleged the parents were involved too, and he said it was disappointing to see adults encouraging kids to take part. In his view, the dollar value of the goods made no difference to how worrying that was.
A Problem the Store Says Keeps Returning
Popu Anime is a Queensland retailer that specialises in anime and Japanese pop-culture goods, from trading cards to figures. It also has shops at Westfield Garden City and Pacific Fair. The Chermside store is described as a favourite with local collectors, a regular stop for younger fans and a draw for serious hobbyists.
Shoplifting has become a repeat issue for the business, Ethan said. Trading cards are more likely to be targeted right now because the market for them is so popular, he said, and younger offenders are often involved.
Where Things Stand
Queensland Police said a report had been made and that investigations were ongoing. The family has not been identified and no charges have been mentioned. Everything described above is an allegation from the store.
Published Date 01-October-2026
