Dramatic moment alleged shoplifters abuse staff in Melbourne retail outlet

Two shoplifters allegedly verbally abused staff before knocking off thousands of dollars worth of goods at a Melbourne DFO.

Shocking footage has emerged of two people allegedly stealing thousands of dollars worth of goods at a Melbourne DFO. Picture: 3AW

A retail staff member has been allegedly verbally abused after a pair of shoplifters targeted a popular shopping outlet in Melbourne.
Shocking CCTV footage obtained by 3AW showed a man and woman enter a sporting shop at DFO Essendon in Melbourne’s north at about 5.30pm on Monday. The duo allegedly began taking items from the shelves and shoving them into duffel bags.

Shocking footage has emerged of two people allegedly stealing thousands of dollars worth of goods at a Melbourne DFO. Picture: 3AW

Footage showed a casual staff member confronting the couple in the corner of the store and offering to take the items to the counter to begin scanning.

After attempting to “block” the pair from leaving the store, the staff member was reportedly pushed to the side and verbally abused.

According to 3AW, the couple smuggled almost $2000 worth of stock into the bags, despite staff “demanding they leave the goods and get out”.

“They refused, pushed up on her, told her to f--k off and to get out of the way as she tried to stop them from leaving and they then strolled out of the complex,” a caller told the station.

Victoria Police have launched an investigation into the incident.

Anyone with information about the incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online.

Originally published as Dramatic moment alleged shoplifters abuse staff in Melbourne retail outlet