Victoria Police have smashed a series of brazen burglaries targeting trendy collectible dolls, recovering a stash valued at $9000 during a dawn raid in Melbourne’s northwest. The operation, which unfolded at a modest home on Webb Road in Airport West, highlights the dark side of the skyrocketing demand for Labubu figurines—elf-like plush toys that have captivated collectors across Australia.
Dawn Raid Ends Months of Thefts
Officers executed a search warrant at approximately 6am on Tuesday, October 21, unearthing 43 Labubu dolls hidden within the property. Among the haul were several limited-edition pieces, each fetching up to $500 on the resale market. Police allege these items were pilfered in four targeted break-ins at a bustling CBD shopping centre on the corner of La Trobe and Swanston streets, with the spree kicking off as far back as July.
The suspect, a 40-year-old local man, was swiftly arrested at the scene. He now faces four counts of burglary and two counts of theft, serious charges that underscore the organised nature of the operation. Granted bail, he is slated to front Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on May 5, 2026, leaving ample time for investigators to piece together any broader networks at play.
The Labubu Phenomenon Grips the Nation
What began as a niche release from Chinese toy giant Pop Mart in 2019 has exploded into a full-blown cultural obsession Down Under this year. These toothy, rabbit-eared monsters—often dangling from handbags like quirky keychains—owe much of their fame to endorsements from global stars, blending cuteness with a mischievous edge. “They’re cute, but also kinda ugly, which is really fun,” quipped avid collector Rome Viduya, who boasts a personal trove of over 25 Labubus.
Sold via the addictive “blind box” format, where buyers gamble on uncovering a rare “secret” variant, the dolls retail for around $35 apiece in stores. Yet, the thrill of scarcity has fuelled a resale frenzy, with eBay Australia reporting a boom in listings. “In today’s economic climate, Labubu offers what we might call an ‘affordable luxury’—a small joy that brings people back to the thrill of collecting without breaking the bank,” noted Alaister Low, head of collectables at the platform. Pop Mart’s half-year revenues have more than doubled to nearly $3 billion, with Australia accounting for a solid chunk of Asia-Pacific sales outside China.
Theft Surge Shadows the Collectible Craze
As queues snake around city blocks—think 5am lines outside Pop Mart’s new Sydney World Square flagship—thefts have surged in tandem. Retailers nationwide report a spike in shoplifting of pop culture prizes, from Labubus to Pokémon cards, driven by black-market resellers eyeing quick profits. Viduya, ever vigilant, has resorted to plastic display cases for his prized pieces after hearing tales of snatch-and-grab muggings in the CBD. “I do unfortunately see the story of people getting their little Labubus cut right from their bags while they’re walking,” he shared.
With new stores slated for Pitt Street Mall in December and Brisbane’s Chermside centre later this year, authorities warn that the hype could invite more opportunists. For now, though, the recovery in Airport West serves as a stark reminder: in the hunt for these furry fiends, not everything that glitters is gold—or safe from sticky fingers.
