(Video) Yau Ma Tei shop owner warns of holiday season theft after couple caught on tape stealing

A Yau Ma Tei shop owner on Monday warned businesses to stay alert for holiday season theft after a couple was caught on tape stealing a charger worth HK$200 under broad daylight.

The owner, Wong, said the male thief entered the shop at around 3 pm on Saturday, while his female partner stood outside the shop for a smoke - possibly on a lookout for the other.

Surveillance camera footage showed that the man grabbed a charger as he left the store, and walked away from the scene with his accomplice. The shop owner said she did not notice the theft as she was distracted by other customers.

Wong told reporters she had placed the chargers at the entrance because many people like to buy them as Christmas gifts.

She noted that her store has been a victim of theft more than 20 times during its 36 years of operation on Shanghai Street, with some daring thieves stealing items such as stove hoods and fans.

She urged the police to increase patrols and reminded the public to take winter precaution measures and pay attention to the security of their property, especially as 2024 draws to a close.