Video shows moment The Classic Jewellers in Adelaide CBD is robbed

Footage reveals the moment a CBD jewellers was robbed by a woman who sprayed a chilli-based liquid into the eyes of a worker and fled with gold necklaces worth $17,000.

A woman who allegedly squeezed a chilli-based liquid into the eye of a worker at a CBD jewellery shop on Tuesday has been arrested and charged.

Tu Cam Thi Tran, 42, of Unley, appeared in the Adelaide Magistrate Court on Wednesday, charged with aggravated robbery, possessing a prohibited weapon and a breach of bail.

Her defence counsel made no application for bail and she was remanded in custody until February next year.

Police were called to The Classic Jewellers on James Place, near Rundle Mall, just after 5pm on Tuesday, following reports a woman had entered the store and asked to see a jewellery display tray.

When the female staff member showed the tray to the woman, police allege she sprayed her in the face with an unknown liquid – believed to a type of chilli sauce liquid – before stealing the tray and running out of the store.

The staff member ran after the woman and managed to get most of the jewellery back before the woman fled, dropping the bottle of liquid and a taser.

She was last seen heading south towards Grenfell St on foot but was eventually captured by police.

The victim, a worker at the shop, received minor injuries from the liquid and was treated in hospital, but returned to work on Wednesday.

The Classic Jewellers in James Place shortly after the robbery. Picture: George Yankovich

Speaking to 7NEWS, Meng Heng – owner of The Classic Jewellery said the thief pretended to be blind as she entered the store asking to “feel the jewellery”.

The owner said he had seen her in the shop on Thursday, wearing a wig and using a cane, asking for an earring to be repaired.

Mr Heng also revealed the tray of jewellery the thief attempted to steal contained gold necklaces worth $17,000. Some of the gold chains are still missing.

Footage of the incident shows a woman in a blonde wig. Ms Tran was not wearing a wig at the time of her court appearance.

Police at the scene after The Classic Jewellers was robbed by a woman allegedly armed with a taser. Picture: George Yankovich

BREAKING: Police are searching the CBD for a thief who pepper-sprayed a jewellery store worker during a brazen daylight robbery near Rundle Mall. 7NEWS Adelaide at 6pm | https://t.co/8ftPfGh39Y#7NEWSpic.twitter.com/ayvczqDcxF

— 7NEWS Adelaide (@7NewsAdelaide) November 7, 2023

You Tan, 58, who owns Oliver’s Nuts less than 100m from the jeweller, said he tried to halt the woman’s escape.

“(A worker) chased her … and was screaming ‘Stop her, stop her’,” Mr Tan said.

“I grabbed her shirt and she (the owner) tackled her to the floor.”

However, Mr Tan said after a brief scuffle, the thief broke free and ran off in a easterly direction on Grenfell St.

He told The Advertiser he has witnessed “dozens” of robberies and attempted robberies over the last nine years in his location at James Place.

“They have tried to rob my shop before, but I told him, if he wants to rob us, there is the till but there’s not much money,” Mr Tan said.