This is the “outrageous” moment a brazen thief stole a distinctive union jack chair from outside a south London antiques dealer.
In a hooded jumper and white trainers, the man approaches the shop in Wimbledon and peers inside to check no-one’s watching.
He then picks up the £500 handmade chair and lifts it above his head to cover his face as he flees the scene.
Security cameras outside the Antiques of Wimbledon store on Kingston Road captured the entire incident on film.
Today police released the footage in an effort to find the audacious thief.
Shop owner Jason Russell, 49, said he struck at about 1.30pm on February 17.
He said his father, who was minding the store, took his eyes off the CCTV screens for “just a moment” meaning he missed the crime which was “so quick”.
He added: “We’re quite a small business and that’s quite a large chunk of our takings.
“We don’t sell loads so it’s a big lump of money.
“It’s outrageous behaviour.”
Police said the suspect, a white male of medium build with dark greying hair and stubble, is believed to have made off from the scene in a blue Transit van.
The vehicle turned left off Kingston Road onto Cannon Hill Lane.
Contact police on 020 8721 2451 with any information.
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