Aldi Pimpama City scene of alleged robbery where man pulled knife on employee

A tradie has described the moment a man allegedly pulled a knife on a store worker in front of shoppers at a Gold Coast Aldi, saying people were in “disbelief”.

A Gold Coast tradie has described the moment a man allegedly pulled a knife on a store worker in front of shoppers, saying people were in “disbelief”.

Complete Home Extensions boss Chris Mellare said he had just paid for his groceries at Aldi in the Pimpama City Shopping Centre at about 7pm on Wednesday, April 17 when the drama unfolded.

“I was at the self serve register and I’d just finished paying when I saw a cashier go running out the store after someone. I’ve turned and I saw him catch up with the guy,” he said.

“He pushed a full trolley of groceries he had all in Aldi bags out of the store.

“He’s made it to the exit of the mall when the Aldi guy caught up to him.”

According to police, the man then produced a knife, pointed it at the shop worker and threatened him.

Mr Mellare said shoppers who witnessed what happened were left stunned.

“Then everyone just looked at each other in shock. I think people were in disbelief.”

Chris Mellare said shockers who witnessed the alleged incident were in shock. Picture: Glenn Campbell.

Mr Mellare said he followed the man out of the centre and observed him near a loading bay, where he made a phone call asking to be picked up. A short time later the man got into a car and left the scene.

In the meantime, Mr Mellare had taken photos of the man and the car which he supplied to Aldi staff to pass on to police.

“The guy just walked out. He walked off with the trolley into the car park. It just didn’t sit right with me,” Mr Mellare said.

“So I walked out with my trolley, ditched it behind my car and hoped no one would steal my groceries. I just followed where he went.”

Mr Mellare said police responded quickly to the alleged incident, which was witnessed by a large number of shoppers, including young children.

“There was a Kiwi guy there with a couple of tiny kids,” he said. “He just looked shocked. Both kids were under 10 years of age. And there were other kids in the vicinity as well.”

The alleged incident took place outside an Aldi store in Pimpama. Picture: Matt Loxton

In a statement to the Bulletin police said they had arrested a man in relation to the matter at an address in Beenleigh the following day.

“Initial reports stated that a man had entered the Pimpama Jacobs Well Road store, selected items, and put them in the trolley. The offender has then left the store without attempting to pay for the items,” the spokesperson said.

“After being approached by a staff member, the offender has produced a knife, pointed it at the staff member and threatened them.

“The offender was seen leaving the scene on foot before entering a vehicle.

“Following investigations, police arrested a 20-year-old man from Beenleigh on April 18, and he was charged with armed robbery.”

The accused man appeared via videolink at Beenleigh Magistrates Court on Friday April 19 charged with robbery with actual violence armed/in company/wounded/used personal violence.

He was denied bail and remanded in custody until May 13.

Mr Mellare said he was pleased if his photographs had helped police.

“I know there’s cameras and stuff but it just always feels like it’s someone else’s job,” he said.

“I think we all need to be the someone else a little bit more, actively involved in our own safety and our own futures.”

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