A man has been charged with theft, assault, throwing missiles and disorderly behaviour after a violent outburst at an Adelaide IGA yesterday afternoon.
Benjamin Devitt, 46, was arrested outside the Franklin Street IGA in Adelaide CBD about 5.30pm yesterday after staff allegedly tried to stop him from stealing from the grocer.
Footage recorded the moment Devitt unleashed on shop workers as they confronted him.
Mobile footage from the store allegedly shows Devitt pushing one worker, and verbally abusing another.
“You’re about to be sued,” Devitt can be heard saying, while another employee called for help.
“Can we get police to Franklin Street please,” they said amid the melee.
Members of the public watched on as Devitt made a dash across Franklin Street, hurling items from across the road.
Shannon Hunter, a witness to the disturbance said Devitt was allegedly “saying he had a gun and pretended to shoot and said boom at the store worker”.
Workers at the store kept track of Devitt until police arrived with guns drawn.
Police pounced on Devitt, arresting him in nearby Mellor Street.
Devitt was charged with theft, assault, throwing missiles and disorderly behaviour.
The police commissioner has said the increase in retail theft is concerning.
“There is no doubt that we are seeing an increase in retail theft,” South Australia Police Commissioner Grant Stevens said.
“Shop theft is an emerging issue which I think is reasonably attributed to the cost of living at this point of time.”
Devitt remains in police custody.
He is due to face court again next week, where the decision will be made on whether he will be eligible for bail.
