The West Australian
BALLAJURA, Australia — A thief crashed through a plate glass window as he fled after stealing a woman’s bag at a small Ballajura shopping centre on Sunday morning.
Police are looking for the injured man, who escaped in a stolen green Lexus after his accomplice threatened to shoot people who restrained him.
Security camera footage from the centre captures the moments the man crashed face-first through the pane next to a sliding door and appeared to be knocked unconscious.
Seconds earlier he had snatched a 50-year-old woman’s bag, containing her purse and phone, after he followed her into a newsagency at the Market Place Shopping Centre.
Passers-by and a tattoo shop worker initially helped the injured man after hearing a loud bang but then they restrained him as shoppers told them what he had done.
IGA owner Greg Rice said the man’s accomplice tried to drag him through the smashed glass to their waiting car and yelled at other shoppers who tried to help the man.
Na8iv Ink manager Jake Adams said he saw the man bleeding all over the floor and on his hands and knees struggling to get up.
Mr Adams said he initially tried to help the injured man before restraining him. He then instinctively held him like a shield when the man’s accomplice yelled, I’ve got a gun, I’m going to shoot you.
He let the man go after he realised the potential danger to himself and other bystanders and someone said they had taken a photograph of the getaway car.
The men left in a green Lexus, registration number 1BNP328, which police said had been stolen from a Mirrabooka home earlier on Sunday.
The incident at the Alexander Drive shopping centre happened between 10am and 10.40am.
Police described both men as dark skinned, aged about 15 to 25, about 170 to 180cm tall and of slim build with dark wavy hair. Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Copyright 2013 West Australian NewsPapers Limited