CCTV footage, sent to Nine radio station 2GB, shows two young men dressed in black speaking to the staff member and appearing to ask questions about the items on display in Sydney’s Inner West on August 10.
Then, as the staff member looks away briefly, one of the men takes the case and quickly runs off, followed by his alleged accomplice.
The owner of the unidentified store claimed the offenders were later spotted in the same shopping complex near another one of the shop’s locations but expressed frustration at police efforts to help.
“The incident has left staff and customers shaken and stressed. We contacted Ryde and Burwood police, but were redirected between the two commands,” the owner told 2GB.
“Meanwhile, the thief and 10 others were openly smoking vapes in the centre.”
The owner said the offender eventually turned himself in but they are not confident in anything being done due to the age of the offender.
“As they’re under 18, we have little confidence there will be consequences,” they said.
The owner claimed the incident is not an isolated one and say they are aware of other luxury retail owners having similar issues reporting issues with police.
“We’re aware of at least another retailer, including a jeweller at Macquarie Centre, who have recently been targeted,” the owner said.
“They have expressed similar frustrations when dealing with the police.”
NSW Police told 9news.com.au that charges have been laid in relation to these incidents.
