A Winnipeg Pokemon card vendor is grappling with the theft of $70,000 worth of collectibles, including rare sealed boxes and booster packs, from his shop at the Mulvey Market, as the community reacts to the blow to a tightly knit hobby scene.
Kenan Hyseni, owner and operator of Mulvey Market, described his shock after a burglary left him without thousands of dollars in rare Pokemon cards and boxes, some valued at up to $5,000 each. The theft, which occurred during a trade night on Friday, involved items worth lots of money,
Hyseni said, including sealed product, booster boxes, and specialty collection boxes. For this to happen to us or anyone else within the community is absolutely heartbreaking,
he told CBC News.
The Heist and Its Immediate Aftermath
Security footage obtained by CBC News appears to show an individual wearing a black hood exiting a back door with a large blue bag, which Hyseni suspects contained his stolen merchandise. The next day, he received a call from his landlord about a tripped alarm and footage of someone leaving with the bag. So when I came back in here, I inspected the market and I saw that all my stuff was pretty much taken and stolen,
Hyseni said.
The stolen items included a couple boxes that were worth $4,000 to $5,000 a piece,
along with fifteen of those [booster boxes]—so some were $1,000, some were $2,000, some were $3,000, it just depended on the set,
Hyseni explained. He estimated the total loss at $70,000, a figure corroborated by his account of specific high-value items, including sealed product, booster boxes, specialty collection boxes, and single cards.
Hyseni, who began collecting cards about four or five years ago, noted the surge in value of Pokemon cards since 2020. Pokemon has increased in value drastically since I'd say COVID, 2020,
he said. It's become one of the best investments that anyone can make.
However, the rising value has also made the hobby a target for thieves, with Hyseni believing the culprit knew the value of Pokemon, knew the value of the boxes.
Community Shock and Response
The theft has left local collectors and vendors reeling. Shan Neri, who buys, sells, and collects Pokemon cards at the Mulvey Market, called Hyseni a really nice vendor here and a really nice guy—he's always there for everybody if someone needs anything, for any Pokémon needs.
Michael Restiaux, another market regular, described the incident as like a knife to the chest
in a community so tightly knit.
It's terrible, so we're pretty upset about it, yesterday was a really rough day here because of that,
Restiaux said. Neri added, It's terrible news, Kenan is a really nice vendor here…
The emotional toll on the community underscores the personal connections within the hobby, where vendors and collectors often act as both business partners and friends.
Hyseni, who lacks collectors insurance due to high premiums, faces a daunting recovery. If I don't get any of the product back, I won't be getting any of my money back,
he said. The lack of insurance highlights a growing vulnerability for small vendors in a market where high-value items are increasingly targeted.
A Pattern of Collectibles Theft
The Winnipeg incident is part of a broader trend of collectibles thefts across Canada. Last year, a Winnipeg collectibles store lost $5,000 in Pokemon and sports cards. In early 2025, two Ottawa hobby stores were burgled for $10,000 in products. Earlier this year, British Columbia saw break-ins involving tens of thousands of dollars in rare Pokemon cards, while stores in Ajax, Ont., were also targeted.
These incidents have raised concerns about the security of collectibles stores. Mah, a Nanaimo hobby shop owner whose store was recently robbed, noted that thieves often knew exactly where to go
and targeted high-value items. They were bang-on, it was a very good response,
Mah said of the RCMP’s arrival after his theft, though he acknowledged the risks inherent in the hobby market.
Hyseni’s case reflects the challenges faced by small vendors navigating this volatile landscape. I've emotionally prepared myself to have this happen,
he said, citing past incidents where other stores were completely vandalized.
Despite the risks, he remains committed to the hobby, which he credits with rekindling his passion for Pokemon during the pandemic.