The owner of a Portadown fast food outlet has offered a reward for information to find the brazen thief who stole two charity boxes from his premises while staff had their backs to the counter.
Darren Ogle, who took over Herron’s Country Fried Chicken on High Street last year, shared images and video footage of the incident on social media.
It happened just after 7pm last night (Saturday).
The CCTV inside shows a man standing at the counter, with a Sports Direct shopping bag sitting on a table. When a member of staff moves to the back of the premises, he reaches across and lifts one of the charity boxes from the counter before placing it in the bag.
The thief continues to stand – furtively glancing from side to side – and when the member of staff again steps away from wiping down food prep surfaces, he seizes the opportunity and reaches across to lift the second charity box.
With both now deposited, the man grabs the shopping bag and quickly leaves the premises.
The owner also shared images of the man outside the premises and, branding him an “absolute scumbag”, said he made off in the direction of the Northway.
Asking social media followers if anyone recognised the individual, who was dressed in black tracksuit bottoms, black hoodie and wearing trainers and a beanie hat, the owner said a reward was offered for details.
Police are investigating the incident and have also appealed for help to apprehend the man involved.
A PSNI spokesperson said: “Police received a report of the theft of two charity collections boxes from business premises on High Street, Portadown, on Saturday evening, 11th April.
“It was reported that a man dressed in black entered the premises just after 7.05pm and took the boxes when a member of staff’s back was turned.
“Enquiries are ongoing, and officers would appeal to anyone with information to contact us on 101, quoting reference 1217 11/04/26.”
