Winnellie Supermarket owner allegedly knocked over and injured during violent robbery

A supermarket manager who was injured when youths allegedly charged at her during a brazen robbery says the incident has left her so shaken she doesn’t know if she can return to work. WATCH THE VIDEO HERE.

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A DARWIN supermarket manager who was injured when two youths allegedly charged at her during a brazen robbery says the incident has left her so shaken she doesn’t know if she can return to work.

Winnellie Supermarket manager Kristine Morris was knocked to the ground by two young men as she tried to stop them from allegedly stealing a carton of Carlton Dry from the store by blocking the exit with a trolley, about 7.20pm on Monday.

CCTV footage shows the men standing at the payment desk with Ms Morris standing at the exit and another staff member at the cash register, before the men knock her over and she falls backwards as they bolt from the store.

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After the incident, she had to be taken to Royal Darwin Hospital with injuries to her back, arms and hands.

Ms Morris, who had the day off work yesterday to recover, said the incident had left her shocked, deeply shaken and in a lot of pain.

“I’m really emotional. I don’t know how I’m going to go back to work,” she said.

“I’ve had some violence in the shop before, but nothing like that.

“I had no intention of fighting them, I just put the trolley there to try and stop them, and they just went straight over me. They just didn’t care.

“I was in shock for a long time after. I couldn’t believe what had just happened, how they could run straight over me like that.”

A CCTV still of the incident. The Winnellie Supermarket shop owner is allegedly knocked to the ground by two men as they run from the premises with alcohol. Picture: Supplied

The incident comes as the NT government develops measures to crack down on crime, especially youth crime in the Territory in response to growing community concern.

Ms Morris said she was “lost for words” about what could be done to deter people like the men who allegedly robbed the supermarket.

“’I don’t know what they can do to fix the problem we’ve got, but something has to be done,” she said.

“In society now, it just seems there’s no punishment.

NT Police Northern Watch Commander Senior Sergeant Len Turner said the altercation had occurred after supermarket staff, including the manager, had noticed the two youths acting suspiciously inside the store.

A CCTV still of the incident. The Winnellie Supermarket shop owner is allegedly knocked to the ground by two men as they run from the premises with alcohol. Picture: Supplied

“While they were shopping, they selected some alcohol – a carton of Carlton Dry beer – and moved to the payment desk,” he said.

“At the desk they were asked for ID, which they didn’t have.

“At this time, the 54-year-old owner placed herself some distance behind the two males (between them and the escape), and she had a trolley in front of her.

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“The males turned, and with their stolen property they charged at the lady and the trolley, causing her to be knocked to the ground.

Strike Force Trident Detectives arrested two men, aged 17 and 20, in relation to the incident yesterday, but were yet to charge them.

NT Police are urging anyone who witnessed the incident or has information about it to contact police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Please quote reference number 9662727.

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