A brave shop worker tried to tackle a thief who stole a mobile phone from a tech store.
The woman chatted to the crook who posed as a customer when he walked in.
He was leaning against the counter, but as soon as the female assistant turned her back, he reached under the glass cabinet.
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She heroically grabbed hold of the robber, almost pulling him over the top.
But after a 13-second tussle, the thief was eventually able to wriggle free.
He then fled out of the shop with a mobile as the shocked worker grabbed her phone to make a call.
The horror moment was captured on CCTV at the independent Apple Tech London shop on Romford Road, Forest Gate, east London.
It happened just after 2:45pm on Thursday (27 Jun), as reported on Need To Know.
Cops are now hunting the man for robbery and assault.
Local, Calvin McDonald fumed: “The shop worker did really well there to be fair.
“I’d have loved to have been walking by and catching that rotten man in the act.
“Put it this way, he’d be apologising to the worker, to me and the old bill once they come and cart him off for theft.
“I can’t stand thieves at all.”
Lee Nesbitt added: “This is common all over the country.”
Rob Hughes said: “I see, I want, I take.”
Another added: “I’m so glad that didn’t turn out badly for the woman in the shop.”
A fifth said: “Wow she held him as long as possible.
“Hero.”
Another added: “What a brave lady.”
A Met Police spokesperson said: “At 5:37pm on Thursday, 27 June, police received a report of a robbery at business premises on Romford Road, E7.
“It was reported that at about 2:45pm that day, a man had entered the store before stealing a phone and assaulting a staff member.
“The victim was spoken to by officers and an appointment was arranged to obtain further details.
“Officers met with the victim on Saturday, 29 June.
“Enquiries are ongoing. No arrests have been made.
“We are aware of video footage shared online.
“Anyone who recognises the man shown in the video is asked to call 101.”
It follows a rise in thefts from shops amid high inflation during the cost-of-living crisis.
Last month, thefts were carried out at Greggs in Archway and Boots in Chingford.
Apple Tech London has been approached for comment.
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