Mysterious thief caught on tape stealing commonly-bought drink!
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As we navigate challenging times, it's important to remember the value of supporting local businesses and keeping our community spirit alive. However, in the charming and affluent streets of Mosman, a local café has become the unexpected stage for a series of disappointing acts.
A beloved spot for morning coffee and fresh pastries has been repeatedly targeted by thieves, leaving the owner and patrons disheartened.
An incident at The August the Old Place café was captured on CCTV around Monday morning, showing a hooded figure stealing the café's newly-delivered goods at approximately 3:25 AM.
Shortly after, the camera caught footage of a person taking two of the four crates of full-cream dairy left outside by delivery men.
However, according to the head chef and owner Moon, this isn't an isolated case.
He expressed his frustration, revealing that thefts have become a regular occurrence.
'In the past few months, we have had our bread delivery stolen, and sometimes our fresh muffins go missing in the hours before the café opens,' he lamented.
‘But what are you going to do with 18 bottles of milk with an expiry date?’
The question on everyone's mind is, what drives someone to steal milk, or freshly baked goods that are meant for the café's operations?
Moon speculated that the rising cost of living might be pushing struggling Australians to desperate measures.
However, he also raised the possibility of a less sympathetic culprit, suggesting that 'a rival café' might be behind the theft, given the quantity of milk taken.
While Moon assured that the loss of $60 worth of goods 'won't affect business operations,' the broader implications are concerning.
The increase in thefts is not just a problem for his café but for the entire community.
'We just make sure to be careful and warn other businesses,' he said, considering the vulnerability of smaller, less visible establishments.
‘We are located main road, can you imagine small corner or back lane cafes? They'll have more problems than us.’
The local residents have voiced their dismay, labelling the thefts as 'disappointing' and 'so sad'.
It's a sentiment echoed across the state, as the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research reports an 'upward trend' in retail theft, with food and beverage theft climbing by 13.6 per cent over the past five years. It is also believed that rising living costs is one of the biggest factors for such acts.
Theft is not just a problem for businesses; it's also affecting consumers.
Australian supermarkets, grappling with a surge in shoplifting, have introduced anti-theft technology such as smart gates and trolley-locking systems.
These measures, while necessary, have been met with frustration by shoppers.
Additionally, there have been numerous reports of food deliveries being stolen, with HelloFresh customers in Sydney pleading locals to stop stealing their orders.
The situation at August the Old Place café is a microcosm of a larger issue that's impacting the sense of security and trust within communities.
Have you witnessed acts of theft in your area, or do you have suggestions for how businesses can protect themselves? If you've experienced similar incidents or have tips on how to prevent such occurrences, feel free to share your stories in the comments below.
A beloved spot for morning coffee and fresh pastries has been repeatedly targeted by thieves, leaving the owner and patrons disheartened.
An incident at The August the Old Place café was captured on CCTV around Monday morning, showing a hooded figure stealing the café's newly-delivered goods at approximately 3:25 AM.
Shortly after, the camera caught footage of a person taking two of the four crates of full-cream dairy left outside by delivery men.
However, according to the head chef and owner Moon, this isn't an isolated case.
He expressed his frustration, revealing that thefts have become a regular occurrence.
'In the past few months, we have had our bread delivery stolen, and sometimes our fresh muffins go missing in the hours before the café opens,' he lamented.
‘But what are you going to do with 18 bottles of milk with an expiry date?’
The mysterious thief was caught on camera taking 18 newly-delivered bottles of milk. The thief's identity remains unknown. Image Credit: The Mosman Collective/Facebook
The question on everyone's mind is, what drives someone to steal milk, or freshly baked goods that are meant for the café's operations?
Moon speculated that the rising cost of living might be pushing struggling Australians to desperate measures.
However, he also raised the possibility of a less sympathetic culprit, suggesting that 'a rival café' might be behind the theft, given the quantity of milk taken.
While Moon assured that the loss of $60 worth of goods 'won't affect business operations,' the broader implications are concerning.
The increase in thefts is not just a problem for his café but for the entire community.
'We just make sure to be careful and warn other businesses,' he said, considering the vulnerability of smaller, less visible establishments.
‘We are located main road, can you imagine small corner or back lane cafes? They'll have more problems than us.’
The local residents have voiced their dismay, labelling the thefts as 'disappointing' and 'so sad'.
It's a sentiment echoed across the state, as the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research reports an 'upward trend' in retail theft, with food and beverage theft climbing by 13.6 per cent over the past five years. It is also believed that rising living costs is one of the biggest factors for such acts.
Theft is not just a problem for businesses; it's also affecting consumers.
Australian supermarkets, grappling with a surge in shoplifting, have introduced anti-theft technology such as smart gates and trolley-locking systems.
These measures, while necessary, have been met with frustration by shoppers.
Additionally, there have been numerous reports of food deliveries being stolen, with HelloFresh customers in Sydney pleading locals to stop stealing their orders.
The situation at August the Old Place café is a microcosm of a larger issue that's impacting the sense of security and trust within communities.
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