Man allegedly steals $400 worth of croissants, escargots from Feast Geelong

Pastry lovers were left disappointed on Saturday after a man allegedly stole about $400 worth of sweet treats from an East Geelong plant-based cafe. WATCH THE VIDEO

Pastry lovers were left disappointed on Saturday after a man stole about $400 worth of sweet treats from an East Geelong vegan cafe.

Feast Geelong owner Eileen Sims said her staff arrived about 5am and noticed their delivery of chocolate and almond croissants and escargots was missing.

It is believed a man jumped over the cafe’s fence and locked gate on Myers St about 4.30am.

CCTV footage shows him jumping down and running over to the crates on the table, before inspecting the pastries, picking them up and disappearing back over the fence.

The vision shows the man wearing a black hooded jumper, black puffer vest, dark shorts, white sneakers and carrying what appears to be a Richmond Football Club scarf.

Ms Sims said a neighbouring shop’s CCTV footage showed the man allegedly driving slowly down Myers St, pulling up in the middle of the road and leaving the engine running while he pinched the pastries.

“It’s not easy to get to them but it’s not impossible,” she said.

“I think he was working on his own.

“We are letting the police know but there isn’t much they can do.”

A thief allegedly stole $400 worth of pastries from Feast Geelong on Saturday morning.

It is the second time this year pastry items have been pinched from the cafe’s morning delivery, which are ordered from a bakery in Melbourne.

In May, a person stole almond croissants and bread.

“It’s not a regular occurrence,” Ms Sims said.

“He has obviously staked it out … he was on a mission.

“The car goes past and then he runs in and takes them.”

Ms Sims said the theft was “disappointing” for her business and customers.

“It’s ridiculous … it’s not the easiest of times for small businesses,” she said.

“It’s frustrating more than anything.”

Ms Sims said the man seemed to be “well dressed” and did not appear to be homeless.

“I often get people saying ‘maybe it’s someone who needed it’, but there are plenty of resources in Geelong for those who have no food,” she said.

“Maybe he has gone to sell them somewhere else, we don’t know.”

It was common for cafes around the region to have early morning deliveries which are left outside with an assumption they will be safe, Ms Sims said.

“Normally a truck comes along, drops them off, then the first person who gets there will bring them inside,” she said.

“People are quick to say you should have better security but ours is pretty good.

“(The pastries) will no longer be left there.”

Originally published as Man allegedly steals $400 worth of croissants, escargots from Feast Geelong