A teenage boy who tried to smash his way into a glass cabinet containing bongs at a Moonah shop has been arrested.
Armed with a half-empty bottle of alcohol, the teenager was captured on CCTV attempting to steal from the Cignall Moonah & Lotto store late last week.
“Give me the bongs. Hand them over or I’m gonna kick through,” he said as customers watched on.
The shop assistant asked him to step outside, but the boy refused and continued to demand access to the bongs.
“Get them now. No you’re getting the cops. Get them now. Get the out,” he could be heard yelling.
“I won’t hurt you. I just want these f–king bongs so I don’t get stabbed.”
“Go outside and I will get them … you go outside so I don’t get hurt mate,” the shop assistant said.
Police arrived shortly after and asked the teenager if he had a knife, which he denied, although the shop assistant told officers that he had allegedly taken some from the cupboard.
“I promise I ain’t got nothing,” he said as he was arrested for stealing.
“I got made to do this. I didn’t choose to do this.”
Glenorchy Mayor Sue Hickey told councillors last week that the council was “continuing to develop a coordinated approach to anti-social behaviour and safety” in the area.
“I would like to say that all cities are facing this same issue, and it’s not about victimising the young people. It’s about trying to find solutions to some of these problems that are going on,” she said.
Hickey will meet with Premier Jeremy Rockliff later this month as she advocates for “more resources” to deal with youth crime issues in the area.
The council will also hold a breakfast event for concerned businesses and public information session.
