A sneaky thief was caught on camera swiping a rifle from an antique shop by hiding it under his jacket.
CCTV footage showed the man, wearing a blue shirt and baseball cap, removing the item from a wall display.
He then appeared to browse other displays while concealing the rifle under his coat.
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After checking he had not been spotted, he made off with the item.
But the weapon was not a real firearm – it was a replica rifle used by historical re-enactors.
The incident was filmed at Sims Vintage Antique Centre in Wootton Wawen, near Birmingham, as reported by Need To Know
A spokesperson for the centre said: “We are extremely disappointed.
“This was not a case of someone simply walking in and making an impulsive decision.
“The individual clearly took steps to avoid staff and other customers indicating the theft was deliberate and planned.
“The item taken was a replica rifle belonging to one of our dealers.
“Thankfully, incidents like this are not a regular occurrence here – but once is one time too many.”
The centre said its dealers invest significant time, money and effort sourcing items for customers and deserved to have their property respected.
The spokesperson added: “Unfortunately, on this occasion, one individual decided that the rules that apply to everyone else did not apply to them.
The centre stressed that the stolen item was a replica used by re-enactors and not a real firearm.
It said all legal deactivated or sharp-edged weapons were kept locked away, while alarms were installed throughout much of the premises.
However, the replica rifle did not have an alarm fitted – which the centre believes is why it was specifically targeted.
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