A string of brazen tip jar thefts targeting local hospitality businesses on Queensland’s Gold Coast has prompted collective alarm among owners, who are urging community members and fellow operators to stay vigilant after the alleged thief was captured on closed-circuit security footage.
Over a two-week period, the suspected thief has struck at multiple cafes and food outlets across popular coastal precincts including Broadbeach, Miami, Coolangatta and Kirra, according to accounts from affected business owners. Security camera recordings from the locations paint a clear picture of the alleged offender’s method: she waits until front-of-house staff are distracted by other tasks, then snatches the tip jar in mere seconds before concealing it in her handbag and exiting the premises undetected.
Chana Murakawa, owner of Goya Cafe, told reporters the theft of her jar that held six months of accumulated customer tips left her team reeling. “Five seconds and she’s gone,” Murakawa said, describing the brazen speed of the alleged crime.
Roughly an hour after Murakawa’s cafe was targeted, a second nearby business fell victim to the same modus operandi. Days later, another incident was recorded on camera at BSKT Cafe, where owner Sonia Griggins said she and her staff were stunned when they reviewed the footage. “We quickly looked back on camera and couldn’t believe it,” Griggins said. “She’s doing the rounds.”
Other affected businesses include Beefy’s Pies and Cafe All Sorts, with one theft hitting far closer to home for a local operator. Jennifer Roch, owner of the impacted outlet that was robbed, said the stolen jar was specifically earmarked for 4Paws, a local animal rescue charity. Customer tips and donations had been collected in the jar for months, and Roch confirmed a substantial sum was taken in the theft.
With multiple businesses left out of pocket after months of accumulated gratuities were stolen in single incidents, affected owners have banded together to issue public warnings. “So we are warning everyone,” Murakawa said. “This lady is dangerous.”
Queensland Police have been notified of the string of thefts, and authorities are asking any member of the public who recognizes the woman from security footage or has information related to the incidents to come forward to assist with the investigation.