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‘Brisket bandit’ caught on camera nabbing hundreds of dollars of top beef

EXCLUSIVE: A bizarre theft in Perth has been caught on camera, showing a man snatching an armful of premium beef worth hundreds of dollars.

The "brisket bandit" left the Southern River butcher furious and sparked a police investigation.

CCTV shows him tucking into a box of Shapes before the meat heist begins.

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"You can watch old mate just walking through, having a look, eating his crackers," Rump Shakers Southern River butcher John Bain told 9News.

He then jumps the counter and makes off with what Bain said was two briskets weighing about 15 kilograms.

"It just annoys me, he obviously didn't care about being caught I reckon," Bain said.

Bain posted about the theft on social media and was inundated with loyal customers trying to help.

"Smile you piece of shit your (sic) on camera," he wrote this morning.

"Anyone know this low life?

"It's going to be on every chat page I know and the police will have the footage this morning.

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"Hey at least be a smart criminal and not stop in clear view of the camera's (sic)."

Online sleuths have since been able to identify a potential suspect.

CCTV has been handed over to the police, who are investigating.

But in the meantime it's a costly loss the small business has to absorb. 

"The uncontrollable costs are just going through the roof at the moment – not just me, not just butchers, small business in general, and families as well, we're all feeling it," Bain said.

Charges are yet to be laid over the theft but Bain says he'll be beefing up security.

"Mate, go out and earn a dollar. Don't steal from us," he said.

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