A boy was caught on camera stealing a vape from a Birmingham discount shop and then returning moments later to kick and smash the door. The incident took place at the CBW Discount Store in Alcester Road South, Maypole, on Friday, May 15.
Children entered the shop shortly before midday, and one boy grabbed a vape from the counter and ran out. However, the brazen kids returned to the shop. When the shopkeeper ushered them out and shut the door, the thief then smashed a glass pane.
Shopkeeper speaks out
Max McDonough, who runs the shop opened by his father, said five teenagers entered his shop and one stole a vape. They went away and came back, and one then kicked the lower part of the door, cracking the glass.
Mr McDonough told BirminghamLive: "It's ridiculous now. For a kid that age to take one of the vapes and smash a door. It's not the cost of the vape, it's more so the way he kicks the door. He took the vape and they ran off. Then he's come back."
He continued: "After the incidents, I phoned the police. I posted images on Facebook, and it has had more than 200 shares and more than 150 comments. It's got around. I have been given names which I have given to the police. Someone came in and said someone tried to break into a property. These same individuals also appear to be targeting other shops in the area, including local Sainsbury's stores and Bargain Buys."
Established shop faces new trouble
Mr McDonough explained the shop has been established for years, but this was the first real sign of trouble. The 32-year-old said: "My dad had the shop 20 odd years but passed away seven odd years ago. We are a retail shop that sells everything. The kids that came in weren't really saying anything. After the vape theft, they came back, and I said 'get out of the shop', and they were just laughing like it's a joke."
He added: "It's just the fact that the next day it makes you worry, thinking, will they come back. I'm not going to go through my insurance because of the excess; I'd have to pay that out. So, on Friday, I worked for nothing. Retail is already getting harder. They are known around this area and Kings Heath. Police say they can't do anything because the shoplifters are kids and the amount stolen was small. That's why they are doing it. They need to be taught a lesson."
Police response
A spokesman for West Midlands Police said: "We are investigating after a theft and criminal damage at a shop in Birmingham. At around 12pm on 15 May, a group of children entered a shop in Alcester Road South where they caused a nuisance, stole a vape and caused damage to a glass door. Enquiries are ongoing to identify suspects and anyone who knows more can call 101 quoting crime number 20/250636/26."
