Ali Mansour, the franchise owner of Sneaker Hut across Sydney, has publicly condemned brazen thieves after revealing which of his stores suffers most from relentless shoplifting incidents. In a recent TikTok video, Mansour posted CCTV footage from his Miranda branch in southern Sydney, capturing a young woman allegedly stealing clothing items on Sunday.
The Alleged Theft Incident
The video, titled "A day in the life of a Sneaker Hut thief," shows the woman sitting on a store chair, examining merchandise before discreetly placing items into her shopping bag. Mansour narrated the scene, noting that the theft occurred while a staff member was legitimately serving two other customers at the counter. "As you can see, she rips some stuff off the hangers, chucks them there," he said, urging viewers to message him if they could identify the individual.
The CCTV footage clearly depicts the woman removing clothing from hangers, rolling them up, and stuffing them into a bag from another shop. Mansour expressed frustration, stating, "It's crazy. Every day there's theft in Miranda." He contrasted this with his experiences in western Sydney, praising the ethics and morals of customers there, where his Guildford and Wetherill Park stores reportedly face no such issues.
Community Response and Resolution
Mansour offered a reward for information leading to the identification of the alleged thief, and within hours, he updated followers that the person had been found. He credited the "power of TikTok" for the swift resolution, mentioning he was arranging payment for the stolen items. This incident is not isolated; Mansour has previously shared videos of alleged thefts from his stores, sparking widespread discussion among Australians.
In the comments section, many users slammed the thieves, with one person sharing, "Why do they think this is okay? I live on the poverty line as a single parent and I shop at the Salvos for us both rather than steal." Another local resident confirmed the problem, saying, "Agreed!! A lot of theft in Miranda Westfield! Just ask any of the security persons there; they will verify this. They are over it!"
Security Suggestions from the Public
However, some commenters suggested practical security measures to prevent future incidents. One user asked, "Why don't you just put alarm tags on the items?" while another agreed, "Should put security tags on all items. I don't think anyone will be stealing anymore and if they do, it will beep at doors." A third quipped, "You should put signs up upon entrance saying 'Smile you're on camera' with a few examples," highlighting the ongoing debate over how best to combat retail crime.
This case underscores the broader challenges small businesses face in urban areas, where shoplifting can impact daily operations and profitability. Mansour's use of social media to address the issue reflects a growing trend among retailers to engage the public in crime prevention efforts.
