Shocking footage captured the moment a thief allegedly stole $330 in cash after distracting a worker as he paid for a can of soda at a grocery store.
The incident happened at a Betros Brothers store on Russel Street in Toowoomba, west of Brisbane, at 10.15am on Sunday.
The man, wearing a hoodie and face mask, was caught on CCTV footage walking towards the till with a bottle of water and a can of Red Bull.
The man paid for the items with coins, but as the 15-year-old worker processed the payment, he reached out and allegedly took some cash.
He allegedly fled the scene with the money along with the bottled water and soda when the young employee attempted to stop him.
Two other staff members chased him, but the man managed to escape and was last seen walking across a railway track.
Shop owner Bevan Betros said the young worker was left traumatised by the event.
“It’s terrible what’s happening here,” he said. 7 News.
The man paid for the items with coins, but as the young employee processed the payment, he reached out and allegedly took some cash (pictured)
The man, wearing a hoodie and face mask (pictured), was caught on CCTV footage walking towards the till with a bottle of water and a can of Red Bull.
“This is what you don’t need, especially in a crowded store.”
Betros Brothers stores have been targeted several times in the past by thieves attempting to steal items from the store in 2023.
During a separate incident, two women were involved in a wild fight, and both were caught on camera throwing a flurry of punches at each other.
Mr Betros said he is fed up with the behaviour and has urged locals to try to identify the man allegedly involved in the most recent incident.
“What are we doing here? What is this all about?” he said.
‘How much longer is this going to last?’
A Queensland Police spokeswoman told Daily Mail Australia that officers are still trying to locate the man.
“Investigations are ongoing,” the spokeswoman said.
Anyone with information about the incident is urged to contact police.