Addington Mall: Ram-raid targets Card Merchant

Jack Caswell, co-owner of Card Merchant, reported that a vehicle crashed through the front window of the Addington Mall store on Lincoln Rd at 3:20 a.m. on Wednesday. The impact allowed a single intruder to enter the premises and remove specific merchandise before exiting.

Police reviewed security footage and identified the suspect as a man appearing to be in his 50s. Caswell noted that investigators were surprised by the age of the individual, as ram-raids typically involve younger offenders. The suspect spent three minutes inside the shop, collecting items that were easily accessible rather than targeting specific high-value inventory.

The theft included Pokémon booster packs and other merchandise with an estimated total value of $1,000. However, the physical damage to the storefront is expected to cost more to repair than the stolen goods are worth. Caswell stated the offender could have taken much more but chose not to, suggesting the raid was driven by opportunity rather than a detailed plan.

The store remained closed on Wednesday while staff assisted police in fingerprinting surfaces and compiling a list of missing items. Caswell pointed out that the mall car park gates were left open overnight, which may have facilitated the vehicle's approach to the store.

This incident follows a previous break-in at the same location roughly two years ago, during which approximately $30,000 worth of stock was stolen. Caswell said the business is currently reviewing options to strengthen its security measures to prevent future incidents.