Store owner Phillip Dang was showcasing a collection of valuable cards to two visitors when he eventually presented a sealed Van Gogh Pikachu card valued at $1,500.

“Their questions were quite odd, not something you’d expect from genuine collectors,” remarked Dang.

While attempting to divert Dang’s attention, one of the men reportedly swiped the card, awkwardly handling it before both fled the scene.

“I was in disbelief, questioning if I was actually being robbed,” recounted Dang.

Dang, accompanied by several staff members, pursued the men. Dang himself managed to tackle one of the suspects and held him until law enforcement arrived.

“He was pleading for release, promising he wouldn’t do it again,” Dang shared.

The second man managed to flee, police allege.

Police seized a knife from the first man but do not believe it was used during the alleged theft.

“We looked and we saw a machete in his pocket, it had a leather cover over it,” Dang said.

“I was staring at it like, that could have gone right through me.”

The 23-year-old Tarneit man was charged with theft from a shop and possessing a controlled weapon.

He was bailed to appear before Sunshine Magistrates’ Court on July 30.

Despite scouring the area, police couldn’t find the second ma. 

They are working to identify him.

The rare Pikachu card remains outstanding.

“In retrospect, I kind of made a mistake with the card I picked to try and bait them out. It was a pretty expensive card,” Dang said.

While Dang valued the card at $1500, another identical card is currently sitting at $5000 as part of an online auction. 

The store owner says his shop is just the latest to be targeted for the valuable collector’s items.

He’s been forced to bolster the store’s security to protect his staff.

“They didn’t come here to be threatened or potentially witness a theft, have to chase someone down, that’s not their job, it’s not my bloody job but I’ll do it,” he said.

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