In dramatic footage shared online, two Chemist Warehouse employees have been praised for their bravery in preventing two alleged teenage shoplifters from escaping the store.
The clip, shared on Instagram by @its_called_straya, shows the two male employees in uniform using their bodies to block the exit, effectively stopping the teens from attempting to flee.
The video begins showing the standoff as the alleged shoplifters try to negotiate their way past the employees.
One of the teens can be heard saying, “Get out of my face, move,” as she attempts to push past the workers.
Despite the pressure, the employees remain calm and refuse to budge.
A different angle of the incident, shared by @crazynewssydney on TikTok, captures one of the teens insisting that they didn’t steal anything.
“Are you actually sweet?” she asks the staff members, while her friend records the encounter.
At one point, the teen appears to be talking to someone on the phone, continuing to plead with the staff to let them leave.
Legal implications
In Australia, you can’t detain someone merely on suspicion of shoplifting.
There must be reasonable grounds, for example, you saw the offense take place.
This is typically known as a citizen’s arrest, where “reasonable force” can be used to detain a shoplifter until police arrive.
Public weighs in
Comments flooded in, with many applauding the employees for how they handled the situation.
One user commented, “Boys deserve a raise. Didn’t lay a hand on her. Well done”.
Another added, “Very professional,” while a third praised, “Amazing work”.
Someone else replied, “Something needs to be done to stop these youths from thinking it’s okay … and these boys did it! I hope their company acknowledges them”.
However, not all reactions were positive.
Some people questioned whether the risk was worth it.
“Imagine putting your life on the line for Chemist Warehouse,” one person said.
Another suggested, “Let them go, not worth it! The company have insurance for theft”.
Someone else echoed: “If you don’t own the store, just get a description and watch where they go. You don’t need to be a hero for a large chain corporation”.
News.com.au has reached out to Chemist Warehouse for comment.
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