Vape thief punches convenience store worker in the face

A brave convenience worker has copped it after following a thief, promising to get money from an ATM. She shares her ordeal.

A convenience store worker punched in the face while trying to recover two vapes taken by a young thief has spoken out about the “terrible” ordeal.

Arem Gobot believes she managed to track down the thief after posting CCTV footage of the woman to social media.

Ms Gobot was working at the My Local Store in Surfers Paradise about 4pm Monday when a young woman approached the counter to buy two vapes.

Ms Gobot placed the vapes on the counter while the woman appeared to pay for the items with her bank card and phone, but the transactions declined.

She said the woman took the vapes from the counter and was leaving the store.

When Ms Gobot confronted her about the missed payment, the woman said she was going to withdraw money from the ATM to pay for them.

“I told her, ‘OK I’m going to walk with you to the ATM’,” the convenience store worker said.

Ms Gobot said she began walking with the woman down Elkhorn Ave, but things quickly turned violent.

“I told her, ‘I’m going to call the police to help you out’. That’s when she hit me in the face,” she said.

The convenience store worker said the blow knocked her glasses to the ground. The woman then fled with the two vapes worth $90.

Ms Gobot suffered cuts to her face.

The incident was reported to police.

A police spokeswoman said they were reviewing CCTV footage and investigations were ongoing.

“I can’t believe that happened to me. I was just trying to get (the vapes) back,” Ms Gobot said.

“It really feels terrible that someone could treat you so badly.”

Anyone with information should phone Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or Policelink on 131 444.

Reference: QP2201354105

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Originally published as Vape thief punches convenience store worker in the face