Three teenage girls arrested over alleged theft and assault at Rundle Mall overnight

Two teen girls have faced court after they allegedly assaulted a shop attendant before taking lighters at a Rundle Mall store overnight.

Two teen girls have been granted bail after they allegedly shoved a shop attended into a cabinet and assaulted him.

The teens 12 and 13, who cannot be named for legal reasons, were both out on bail for separate matters when they approached the EzyMart in Rundle Mall just after 10pm on Wednesday night.

The youth court heard a group of at least five youths walked into the store when they began stealing lighters and acting erratically.

Three girls aged just 12 and 13 have been arrested over the late-night bashing of a convenience store worker in Rundle Mall. The latest in 7NEWS Adelaide at 6pm | https://t.co/gYFVWBHNhA#7NEWSpic.twitter.com/1Feq1x0dtE

— 7NEWS Adelaide (@7NewsAdelaide) October 26, 2023

“The victim has recognised the two from previous encounters and told them they were not allowed to enter the store,” a police prosecutor said.

“They began verbally abusing the victim and stealing lighters before kicking the victim.”

The court heard the alleged victim was further “slammed” into a shelving unit and hit repeatedly before being kicked.

The court also heard the teens then allegedly dragged the victim out to the front of the store where the assault continued.

“They continuously slapped and pushed before he started to fight back in self defence,” the prosecutor said.

The teens had left the scene by the time police arrived but were later found at the Bowden Railway Station around 11pm.

Another girl, also aged 12 was arrested and charged with aggravated assault and theft, she was later bailed and set to appear in court at a later date.

Magistrate Kate Hodder granted the 12 and 13-year-old bail, but made it clear the allegations were serious against them.

“The alleged offending is of course very serious,” she said.

The two girls will return to court in November.

Outside of court, police spoke to two of the others girls that were involved in the incident, as they continue their investigation.

It comes amid a surge in serious violence and property crime within the CBD this year.

However, Police Commissioner Grant Stevens said official SAPOL data shows overall city crime rates were falling – with Mr Stevens labelling Adelaide one of the safest cities in Australia.