David McWalters: Wodonga jeweller bashed burglar who stole thousands in jewellery

Video shows the moment a thief stole from a Wodonga business owner who chased him down and punched him before he had the chance to flee.

A Wodonga business owner belted his first burglar in his business’ 71 year history when a thief tried to steal from him earlier this week.

Police say a man tried to steal tens of thousands worth of gold chains from Wodonga Jewellers on Tuesday when owner David McWalters, in his 50s, chased the burglar down.

Mr McWalters said the accused went into his High Street store at 1.45pm and asked his wife, Teresa McWalters, to see their gold chains.

When Mrs McWalters turned to get them the thief grabbed the chains and ran out the door, which he left ajar.

“She was terrified,” Mr McWalters said.

The burglar had distinctive tattoos on his hands.

Mrs McWalters chased the burglar out of the store but the man ran to a locked getaway car where three others were waiting.

Mr McWalters eventually caught up; hitting the offender.

“(The burglar) had the tray in one hand and was swinging with the other,” he said.

“Later, my right hand was sore and a bit bruised. I must have got a good shot somewhere in the line.

“(But) he punches like a six-year-old.”

Wodonga Jewellery owners Teresa (Tess) and David McWalters. Picture: Facebook.

Mr McWalters said during the fight, the thief dropped most of the stolen chains, but still got away with thousands worth of uninsured jewellery.

He said his wife was now scared to go back to work.

“She didn’t want to come back to work,” Mr McWalters said.

“She’ll be up in the middle of the night if she hears a noise.”

Mr McWalters said if his thief wasn’t “as dumb as they come”, he may not have recovered the stolen goods.

“It was fortunate they were stupid enough to bungle it up.”

Police are investigating.

“We are very reliant on the public to find the male seen in the footage,” a police spokesman said.

“It appears the people involved in the theft of the jewellery also stole a number plate shortly earlier that day.”