What Would You Do if You See a Thief?

ptl93 on 22/09/2016 - 11:47
Last edited 22/09/2016 - 11:51

So this happened in Victoria, I saw a thief not far from me stealing petrol last night.

He walked to the pump, filled the petrol using a can then quickly runaway into a car parking on a dark street next to the station, where his partner was waiting to take him away. I did not know he hasn't paid for the petrol until the staff told me at the counter.

So, what would you do if you know he was stealing petrol?
Do you have the rights to arrest him and use force on him (a.k.a attack him)?
Would you risk yourself to save some bucks for the petrol station, if there is only you near the offender and the staff is behind the counter?
Also, would it be more sensible if the staff asks the people with can to prepay the petrol first?

General Discussion

Comments

  • spackbace on 22/09/2016 - 11:57
    +12

    Would you risk your life over ~$10 worth of fuel? No.
    Should you…? Not really, that's what they're insured for, or just put it down to the cost of running a business

    There is no risk to anyone else's life in the story posted, so why bother even contemplating jumping into the mix?

    • Lunatic on 22/09/2016 - 14:41

      But its my $10 man!

      Although in this case the security cameras would probably do the trick

  • tomsco on 22/09/2016 - 12:01
    +3

    Yeh, no point endangering yourself.

    If you can make out their rego, pass that on. They may be stolen plates, but if they have the car out of view, maybe they are legit.

    Seems like a stupid amount to possibly get a criminal record over.

    • Diji1 on 22/09/2016 - 12:13
      -3

      Most thefts are like this, tiny amounts. This is because most thieves are impoverished and it's basic items like food. 20% of Australia's population is on the poverty line in this supposedly lucky country.

      • Marcsie on 22/09/2016 - 14:06
        -4

        So if you are not happy to live here,then you are welcome to move out :)

        • mskeggs on 22/09/2016 - 15:30
          +7

          The patriotic thing to do is to try and make the place better, not cut and run.

  • coolhead on 22/09/2016 - 12:02
    +2

    i know from a friend who worked at 7/11.. He once chased a guy for a ciggie pack and left shop unattended… Owner said why risk your life plus all the other stock in shop..
    point is what if you confront him and he attacks you with a knife or an iron rod.. not worth it..

  • cypher67 on 22/09/2016 - 12:07
    -5

    Business factor shop lifting into their prices, so if you don't steal its like they are getting money for free.

    • tsunamisurfer on 22/09/2016 - 12:26
      +5

      What an immensely idiotic conclusion.

      • cypher67 on 22/09/2016 - 13:31
        +1

        Its a quote, no need to take it literally … lighten up

        • outlander on 22/09/2016 - 13:33

          don't worry bro, i thought it was funny

    • SirFlibbled on 22/09/2016 - 16:23
      -1

      Sure Brodie… was it Brodie? It sounds like something he would say.

  • ProjectZero on 22/09/2016 - 12:11

    I'm sure the business had some CC cameras which they can take to the police and have them do something… no point in endangering yourself in that situation

  • Diji1 on 22/09/2016 - 12:11
    +1

    So, what would you do if you know he was stealing petrol?

    Yell "Fire! FIRE! FIRE!" while pointing at him and gesticulating wildly.

    Do you have the rights to arrest him and use force on him (a.k.a attack him)?

    No idea. Isn't there something like a "citizens arrest" or something but I'd always be worried about it coming back to bite me so i wouldn't do it.

    Would you risk yourself to save some bucks for the petrol station, if there is only you near the offender and the staff is behind the counter?

    God no. I'll let the billion dollar multinational that doesn't any tax in Australia absorb that, why would I risk a single thing in that situation?

    Also, would it be more sensible if the staff asks the people with can to prepay the petrol first?

    Sure if the loss in business is less than the loss from theft.

    • JimB on 22/09/2016 - 13:26
      +1

      The billion dollar multinational may supply the petrol, however it's the store owner that pays for it.

      Some petrol stations make a lot of money, some very little.

      I would prefer to pay at the pump, however that means customers don't walk into the store. If they don't walk into the store, they won't buy anything (other than petrol). Non-petrol sales are probably just as important as petrol to a petrol station.

  • scrimshaw on 22/09/2016 - 12:30

    My store, well, franchise, has a 2 percent stock shrinkage tolerance or threshold which we try to keep as minimum as possible. Of course, theft is not something I would encourage anyone to try to prevent. If talking doesn't solve the issue, I would just let it be.

    It's not worth getting beat up or injured. You can just report it to the security or the police

    I once had to report a 55 year old lady for shop lifting and she was almost in tears because I had publicly humiliated her.

    • supnigs super skids on 22/09/2016 - 12:54

      Yeah. Not good. It was a 55 yo hiding a frozen chicken under her granny frock.

    • JimB on 22/09/2016 - 13:22
      +1

      Old ladies are the worst for stealing.

      The ones that do, do it all the time and don't care if they get caught as they use 'poor old me' to get out of being arrested.

  • outlander on 22/09/2016 - 13:32

    Are they stealing from me? Then I'm obligated to hand out an ass whopping

    Stealing from a business? Not my problem
    I once watched a young man steal something from target out the back door. Speed walked right past me. Yeah, that's right, walked. It was unbelievable, he had these long legs and was taking these massive strides, but didn't seemed to be rushing so nobody paniced. By the time they yelled after him, he was already clear across the car park. I thought about chasing him down, but wasn't really in the mood.

  • apple2016 on 22/09/2016 - 14:01
    +1

    I am sure they would have had cctv. But you can pass on any additional info like the car rego etc to assists police in their investigation.
    I would not recommend confronting the thief but turning a blind eye is not good either. It just encourages them to do it again and business recoup the loss by increasing the prices.

  • dlf73 on 22/09/2016 - 14:17

    Frankly I could care less!
    A can I am assuming like a lawn mower can? 5 litres at $1.20 a litre roughly.
    So put yourself in a potentially dangerous position for $6?
    Yes there is principle, but pick your battles!
    Even yelling to draw attention to them could mean they hide around the corner follow you home and who knows what after that.

  • Cheapascents on 22/09/2016 - 15:14
    +1

    Not worth the endangerment of your life, but im sure you could place a citizens arrest if you wanted to, im not sure on the law or the act but you can arrest (submit) the person until the police arrive. I honestly wouldn't do shit if i saw someone committing theft though.

  • [Deactivated] on 22/09/2016 - 16:20
    +2

    Not my problem idc

    • SirFlibbled on 22/09/2016 - 16:24
      +1

      That's what Peter Parker said before his Uncle was killed turning him into Spiderman.

      • GaryQ on 23/09/2016 - 10:46

        But then he got to kiss some sweet Mary Jane while hanging from a string, so there's that

  • SirFlibbled on 22/09/2016 - 16:22
    +2

    I'd just make a mental note of the number plate and tell the servo.

  • Ozbargainite on 22/09/2016 - 16:46

    I'd call these lads
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PCFVEvZvo3g

    Because Theme tune.

  • Seraphin7 on 23/09/2016 - 09:58
    +1

    So old mate has pinched a couple of litres, maybe $6 or so as someone has mentioned? Sounds like typical scumbag junkie behaviour. Just like the trash that breaks into cars to try to steal change.

    Unfortunately not much you can do about it and probably not worth getting yourself involved, but would love to see these types dealt with properly by the law.

  • [Deactivated] on 23/09/2016 - 10:21

    A criminal holding a container of flammable liquid trying to make a get away
    I would stay the flipin ell away
    Someone burgaling the neighbours maybe,
    they should have been nicer, and I might risk my life for their old stuff,
    Between insurance and the fact that it'll be collecting dust in cash converters, if you really want it back anyway
    I think young people have a hero/fame complex
    Try getting fixed up in a public hospital after being slashed with a knife
    Who here hasn't copied something they shouldn't?
    Or tried to get a bargain, when it's obviously a mistake?
    Stealing is stealing, right?

  • 2ndeffort on 23/09/2016 - 12:16

    Don't risk your life for $20 or less. I wouldn't tackle the guy or risk a fight but if I could warn the attendant or the cops I definitely would. Could you call 000 from inside the safety of your locked car? Could you warn the attendant without drawing direct attention? I wouldn't be worried about the scumbag following me home, if he has got away with his $20 of petrol he probably has something else to do with his ill gotten gains rather than chase after me.

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