A video is getting a lot of attention on TikTok, courtesy of The Daily Star, of a thief openly stealing food, then shoving his way out of the store. What’s remarkable about the clip is that the shoplifter doesn’t even try to hide his thieving after he pockets item after item. When he’s confronted by a store employee, he just shoves his way out of the store.
Sadly, we’ve seen many shoplifting clips. It’s all-too-easy, particularly in British stores, to waltz in and steal without consequence. But this particular video is astonishing for just how brazen and unashamedly the thief steals.
The clip begins with the thief, wearing headphones, calmly and openly putting jars of something into his satchel. Bizarrely, he has a shopping basket but doesn’t even pretend to use it. All the while, he’s being filmed and watched by a nervous store employee.
Eventually, the store employee feels compelled to intervene. He asks the thief to put the items in the basket. The shoplifter barely acknowledges the employee and even continues to pocket groceries!
Things take a more concerning turn when the store employee tries to stop the thief leaving. He stands in his way and wrestles for control of the shopping basket. The shoplifter isn’t having any of it, though, as he forcefully barges his way past. Thankfully, the store employee doesn’t try to intervene further, as there’s no telling what the thief may have resorted to in his escape. After shaking the store employee off, the thief just calmly strolls out of the store.
The clip is a remarkable reminder just how shameless some people are, particularly when they don’t fear any consequences. Many commenters called the thief a “parasite” and “subhuman”, showing the general disgust at such shameless stealing.
Of more concern, in my opinion, is the real lack of any meaningful security. I appreciate that security are meant to be a deterrent and shouldn’t risk their lives, but this feels like an incredibly lackluster response. One TikToker echoed my sentiment, questioning, “What’s the point of security[?]” Either way, we can only hope the thief finds a sterner response next time he tries this.
