Shocking moment a Perth supermarket is trashed by a violent mob

A shopkeeper fed up with thieving locals has been captured on CCTV detaining a boy fleeing with a bottle of coke – moments before angry relatives trashed his business in retaliation.

The Iranian owner, 41, caught the nine-year-old shoplifting for the second time in two days and dragged him by the arm across the store.

He locked the boy in the office as a ‘citizen’s arrest’ and called police to the IGA in Kelmscott, Perth, on December 30 – but a group of the child’s relatives arrived first.

CCTV video showed up to a dozen people attacking the owner, hurling rocks and goods, ripping stock off the shelves, and helping themselves to cigarettes.

The owner was punched in the head twice, while a worker was hit with debris and stunned customers got out of the way.

Meanwhile, the boy, who was only locked up for 7.5 minutes, cut his head, hand and arm trying to smash a window to escape the office. 

The shopkeeper, who fled Iran 18 months ago for a better life, now stands charged with assault and deprivation of liberty.

The Iranian owner, 41, caught the nine-year-old shoplifting for the second time in two days and dragged him by the arm across the store

He locked the boy in the office as a ‘citizen’s arrest’ and called police to the IGA in Kelmscott, Perth, on December 30 – but a mob of the child’s relatives arrived first

Lawyer John Hammond said the owner would plead not guilty and argued that store owners need more power to deal with shoplifters.

‘My client’s shop is getting regularly robbed, he’s regularly copping tirades of abuse from customers and he’s had enough,’ he told 9 News.

The IGA owner’s insurer also won’t pay the more than $2,000 damage bill because of the pending charges.

None of the family members have been arrested or charged.