A violent robbery at a bottle shop in Adelaide has left two employees injured, prompting concerns about the escalating issue of “grab and go” thefts targeting the retail liquor industry.
The brazen attempt occurred in the middle of the afternoon when two men entered the Thirsty Camel bottle shop on Anzac Highway, attempting to steal a four-pack of vodka cruisers.
When a staff member intervened, a third person, a teenager, stepped in and punched the worker in the head.
The assailants allegedly used one of the stolen bottles as a weapon against the employee and also brandished a pair of scissors.
As a result of the attack, one staff member sustained head injuries, while another required surgery for a dislocated knee.
The incident has sparked outrage and concern from the retail industry. Despite advice to workers and customers to refrain from intervening, attacks continue to occur frequently.
“We know that 80 per cent of our members have reported to us in the last 12 months they’ve been assaulted or abused in the last 12 months,” Josh Peak from the Shop Workers’ Union said.
“It’s incredibly frequent.”
The store in question has been targeted by this group before, highlighting the challenge of deterring repeat offenders despite recently passed laws designed to toughen penalties.
Police are still hunting the offenders, with a maximum sentence of seven years in prison on the cards if the group ends up in court.
