Tip-jar thief gets caught by tradies
‘‘The staff in the restaurant didn't deserve to be treated like that.’’ Duncan Small
Two quick-thinking Manawatu¯ men in Wellington to celebrate their graduation stopped a thief stealing tips.
Duncan Small and Wayne Sandbrook were on their way to the IAG Trades Scholarship Programme awards at Te Papa on Thursday night when they stopped for food.
The 27- and 22-year-old panelbeaters, who work for Flintoff Carpainters and Panelbeaters in Feilding, were graduating from the programme after completing their apprenticeship.
They were in Mr Go’s in Taranaki St when Small said they noticed a man enter the shop.
‘‘He pulled a wine bottle out of his backpack and started drinking it.’’
Just as the Feilding duo went to leave, the man pushed two girls out of the way, grabbed the tip jar and fled.
‘‘We ran after him and by the time I caught up to him he threw the money away and kept running,’’ Small said.
Not wanting to put his life in danger, they settled for getting the money back.
‘‘It was good to sort it out for them.
‘‘The staff in the restaurant didn’t deserve to be treated like that.’’
After getting the tip jar back, Small said they had to go as they were in a hurry to get to the awards.
Mr Go’s staff member Kate Hooker said staff were ‘‘super thankful’’ to the apprentices and wanted to shout then a drink to show their appreciation.
Co-owner Dean White said he was lost for words about the good deed.