Jim Kidd Belmont hit with ‘brazen’ theft by two teenagers, staff member assaulted

Two teenagers have been arrested and charged after a brazen theft at a Jim Kidd store in Perth’s eastern suburbs during which a staff member was punched in the face.

The disturbing theft was caught on CCTV cameras from inside the store at Belmont Forum Shopping Centre which shows the girls, aged 15 and 17, in a persistent attempt to leave the store with a trolley full of clothing items.

Two heroic staff members end up wrestling with the girls in a determined effort to stop them but the two teens were relentless.

During the altercation, the two girls become confrontational, with the 17-year-old from Thornlie punching a female staff member in the face.

As the pair left the store with some of the items, the 15-year-old from Karawara ditched two sports balls at a male staff member.

Shopping centre security came to the rescue but not even their presence could deter the young thieves.

Cannington detectives have since charged the two girls with a string of offences including aggravated robbery, stealing and behaving in a disorderly manner.

The 17-year-old was also charged with common assault and criminal damage.

Jim Kidd general manager Joe Pugliese estimated about $500 to $1000 worth of items were stolen with up to another $1000 lost each week as crime in the shopping centre increases.

“Retail theft is on the trend, we need a controlled effort to combat it otherwise it’s not going to go away especially when times are tough,” he said.

“If everyone has that attitude of letting everyone walk out with whatever, it’s not going to get better, it will get worse.

“The Belmont area has been hit quite regularly with people around potentially seeing it as an easy target...my staff have been facing this for the last six weeks.”

Mr Pugliese said his worker who was assaulted was “shaken up” but like a “trooper” was back at work the next day.

“We are fed up...For all my staff it’s a depressing environment to come to work,” he said.

“We are going straight to the police now and they are helping out as much as they can.

“Credit to my guys who stood their ground and did the best they could, we never tell them to put themselves in danger.”

Mr Pugliese also said later that Saturday the store was hit with another theft before closing time and again on Sunday.

The two teenagers are due to appear in Perth Children’s Court in March and April.