Heroic shoppers band together to turn the tables on a gang of thieves who ransacked a clothing store and ‘assaulted an employee’ who tried to stop them
- Four teens were caught stealing from SportsPower in Cranbourne on Friday
- CCTV footage shows the group bolting out of the store with stolen merchandise
- A team of Good Samaritans chased the burglars for more than one kilometre
- One was apprehended and the store has since recovered more than 20 items
CCTV footage has captured the dramatic moment a team of Good Samaritans sprang into action after teenage shoplifters ransacked a sportswear store in Victoria.
The incident took place at SportsPower, on South Gippsland Hwy in Cranbourne on Friday afternoon.
The video shows the four teens casually walking into the store before they begin to rack up on clothes and other items.
At one point, employees appear to get suspicious as the boys slowly make their way near the store’s exit with the merchandise in their hands.
CCTV footage caught the moment a group of teens ransacked sportswear store SportsPower in Cranbourne on Friday
![The video shows the four boys racking up with armfuls of clothes (pictured) before they make their way to the store exit](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2019/11/16/10/21086790-7692397-image-m-21_1573900635977.jpg)
The video shows the four boys racking up with armfuls of clothes (pictured) before they make their way to the store exit
![Store employees are seen taking action after the teens suddenly make a run for it](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2019/11/16/10/21086796-7692397-image-m-22_1573900643047.jpg)
Store employees are seen taking action after the teens suddenly make a run for it
Seconds later, the thieves make a run for it, bolting out the door and a chase ensues.
Store staff, shoppers and even members of a fitness gym next door banded together to chase the thieves for more than a kilometre, according to 9news.
‘Everyone was keeping an eye, calling out to us saying “they’re down the next street!” SportsPower co-owner Sarah Naismith said.
In the end, a bystander was able to tackle a 15-year-old thief to the ground, while the three other accomplices got away.
![One female employee is seen chasing after one of the thieves as he runs out the door](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2019/11/16/10/21086792-7692397-image-m-11_1573900381193.jpg)
![Another is seen escaping with clothes in his hand](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2019/11/16/10/21086788-7692397-image-m-13_1573900395653.jpg)
One female employee is seen chasing after one of the thieves as he runs out the door (left) another is seen escaping with clothes in his hand
![Store staff, shoppers and even members of a fitness gym next door banded together to chase the thieves for more than a kilometre, according to 9news](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2019/11/16/10/21087272-7692397-image-a-7_1573900347960.jpg)
Store staff, shoppers and even members of a fitness gym next door banded together to chase the thieves for more than a kilometre, according to 9news
But thanks to the shoppers’ heroic efforts, the store has been able to recover $2,000 worth of merchandise.
SportsPower put out a ‘massive appreciation post’ on Saturday addressing the incident and praising the Good Samaritans.
‘It was amazing to see so many people helping out as we looked for the perpetrators of a brazen daylight robbery,’ they said in a Facebook post.
‘One was apprehended last night in a genuine citizens arrest and thanks to so many people giving chase and calling in tips we have already recovered over 20 items!
‘None of this would have been possible without locals being upstanding citizens. As owners of a small, locally owned business we thank everyone for their support of your local sports store and our team of amazing employees.’