Dec to get a pic on his way back

A NAME and shame policy has been adopted by Doherty's Centra at the Mountain Top Complex following the brazen attempt of one thief to steal the poor box.

Manager Geraldine Gibbons decided to put up a poster identifying the thief after he failed to steal the St Anthony charity box from the counter at Centra.

"It was a vigilant customer standing behind the thief in the queue that alerted staff when he grabbed the poor box. Two staff members ran out after him and managed to get the box back. We identified him from CCTV footage and put up the poster banning him from the premises," explained Geraldine.

The culprit, a foreign national is 5ft 10 in height and was accompanied by a woman.

"There have been a few incidents in recent weeks of theft from the shop. We can identify the culprits from CCTV footage in the shop and the staff are extra vigilant for any repeat offences. Unfortunately in recent weeks there have been a few attempts to steal mainly from the off-licence area and it is mostly foreign nationals responsible," said Geraldine.

Geraldine Gibbons said the poster policy in Centra is designed to act as a deterrent to any would be thieves. "There is little the Gardai can do in this instance, particularly when we managed to get the property back. People gave money to charity in good faith. All our customers have said its a good idea to name and shame the culprits and warn people that they can't steal and get away with it," said Geraldine.