Monkey ‘mob boss’ caught raiding corner store

A cheeky macaque known to pilfer a Southwest China community for food was captured while raiding a small convenience store, where it caused an estimated 3,000 yuan ($440) in damages.

Wildlife protection experts shot the monkey with tranquilizer darts on Friday after the store owner called police. It was taken to a nearby zoo.

A video clip, posted to Sina Weibo on Friday from inside the store, shows the large macaque rummaging through the store’s goods.

Locals can be seen laughing and taking video from outside as the primate sits in front of the store’s window.

According to the store owner surnamed Sha, the alpha male had not only stolen from her before, but also was often

seen leading raids for food.

“They come here every day and steal stuff,” said Sha, adding that the monkeys are also known to swipe snacks from schoolchildren.

“You can’t stop them. You’ll be sitting down eating lunch and just when you’re not looking they’ll take something,” she said.

Wildlife authorities said they had conducted 10 such captures over the last two months as macaques living in the surrounding mountains descend on the community in search of food.

Sha said while her store hasn’t been visited by monkeys since the alpha male’s capture, she is left unable to recover the 3,000 yuan she is out.