Level crossing worker stood down after allegedly stealing a vape from struggling tobacco shop

A worker on a Glen Huntly level crossing removal site is copping heat after allegedly being caught stealing a vape from a store battling construction shutdowns.

A worker on a level crossing removal project has been stood down after being caught on camera allegedly pocketing a vape from a shop struggling with construction shutdowns.

The Glen Huntly project, which is removing a crossing at Neerim Rd and Glen Huntly Rd by lowering the rail line into a trench, has been causing chaos for local businesses since early this month, and is expected to continue for months.

Tobacco shop owner May Shen was serving a worker on the project earlier this month when she noticed stock missing, and checked closed circuit cameras.

Vision shows the woman allegedly stealing a vape by placing it inside her phone case, and left without paying.

Ms Shen said she didn’t want to press charges but was angry about the theft and had pursued the woman to try to get her to pay for the smoking device.

“I didn’t want to (go to police), just pay my money back and don’t do it again,” she said.

Ms Shen said businesses in the area were suffering during construction of the project and she was angry about the incident because she had received no government assistance and people were finding it “so hard at the moment because no customers are coming”.

The Glen Huntly level crossing removal site. Picture: Luis Ascui

“About 25 to 30 per cent of customers are coming in and so it’s very hard and I was angry and surprised,” she said.

“I think the workers get paid enough,” she said.

It comes after a baker was allegedly attacked by a rogue contractor in February at another level crossing removal at Mont Albert and Surrey Hills.

That contentious project was marred by tensions between traders and some project workers, with the extensive removal work requiring significant shutdowns and disruptions to businesses.

Opposition transport infrastructure spokesman David Southwick said the Glen Huntly incident was another example of locals being mistreated by employees on major projects.

“Local traders and residents should be supported during disruptive works – not made to feel intimidated,” he said.

“Glen Huntly traders have been failed by the Andrews Government and must be appropriately compensated.”

Correspondence seen by the Herald Sun shows a Level Crossing Removal Project employee telling another store owner who was helping Ms Shen that the “employee identified within the footage displayed is no longer working on our project”.

It is understood the products that were allegedly stolen have since been paid for.

A spokesman for the Level Crossing Removal Project said:

“We expect the highest standards of behaviour from people working on our projects and anyone who does the wrong thing will face the appropriate consequences.”

Glen Huntly Station is expected to open in early August after significant works including the digging of a 1.2km rail trench.

Over that time Neerim Rd will be closed for about a month and buses will replace trains and trams.

The station, which had been spelled as one word, will be renamed when it reopens, correcting a decades-long error in how it was written.