A Supercheap Auto worker has quit and joined a rival after video of him confronting a woman allegedly using an empty child’s pram to steal from his store went viral.
The worker was stood down from his position at the retailer on the Gold Coast after the car parts franchise conducted a review into the incident.
He has now taken a new job with local rivals Autobarn Burleigh Heads.
In the video, the woman was stopped over the contents of her pram – where she was apparently hiding three stolen items.
On Friday, the franchise issued a statement revealing the man who tried to stop the alleged thief has since decided to leave the company.
A Supercheap Auto employee has quit and taken a new job with a rival firm after an investigation into footage of him confronting an alleged thief (pictured) went viral
His departure came not long after Daily Mail Australia revealed he had been bombarded with job offers and was ‘struggling’ with his newfound fame.
‘I can confirm that the team member involved in the incident has decided to leave the business,’ a Supercheap Auto spokesman said in a statement.
‘We are continuing to offer support for the team member.’
The statement said a ‘comprehensive review’ had been conducted into the incident – which occurred in April. It’s understood the incident was reported to Queensland Police.
Supercheap Auto reiterated the company’s policy that staff should not confront suspected shoplifters.
‘These policies and standards, which prohibit confronting suspected shoplifters and physical contact with customers, are designed to protect our team members and customers,’ the spokesman said.
Autobarn Burleigh Heads owner Michael Farrar (pictured) said the man has been ‘struggling mentally’ amid his ordeal
‘We have extensive video surveillance in our stores and suspected cases of shoplifting are referred to the police with footage of the alleged offenders.
‘The health, safety and wellbeing of our team members and customers is our highest priority and we are committed to maintaining a safe working and shopping environment.
‘Our standards on health and safety are not just words on a page. They are central to the way we operate our business.’
The employee will be paid out in full following the incident.
Meanwhile, staff at Supercheap Auto have been emailed by managing director Benjamin Ward reminding them about ‘the company’s policies and standards on interacting with customers’.
Michael Farrar, who owns Autobarn in nearby Burleigh Heads, said the still-unnamed Supercheap Auto worker contacted him after he publicly offered him a job.
Mr Farrar said the worker admitted he has been ‘struggling mentally’ amid the turmoil with his employer and accidental internet fame.
The man has been in contact with Mr Farrar after the business owner offered him a position at Autobarn in Burleigh Heads (pictured)
Mr Farrar said he offered the man the position after being impressed by how he handled the situation.
He told the Gold Coast Bulletin: ‘He didn’t like how it all went down, but it’ll be all good from now on. He starts next week, next Tuesday.’
Mr Farrar said his business had lost around $15,000 worth of goods over the past two years due to thieves.
‘His actions showed to me that he is a loyal person and someone we would want on our team,’ Mr Farrar said previously.
Dozens of people were threating to boycott the Supercheap Autos chain over the ‘woke’ decision.
‘After watching the video it’s crazy that Supercheap have stood him down after the commitment to them he demonstrated!’
How Supercheap Auto incident unfolded
Video shows the worker stopping the woman outside Supercheap Auto in Ashmore, on the Gold Coast, after she allegedly tried to flee with items stashed in the pram.
The video posted online last month showed the woman tightly gripping her decoy pram, pretending there was a baby inside, as she bickered with the employee.
The employee threatened to ‘call the cops’ if she didn’t return the allegedly stolen items as the woman tried to move the stroller out of his reach.
‘Let my baby go,’ she screamed as the man took hold of its handles and looked inside.
‘You haven’t even got a baby in there,’ the man calmly replied.
‘Don’t touch my baby,’ the woman screamed again as the employee noticed a box stowed inside the pram that was covered with a blanket.
‘Oh there’s a box in there!’ the man cries in mock surprise.
The woman then seemingly gave up on her ploy and told the retail worker he could have ‘the f**king motor’.
She pushed a large cardboard box out of the pram and onto the pavement for the man to collect before finally calling him a ‘f**khead’.
A second video later posted online showed the woman barging him out of the way and storming off down the carpark, away from the automotive supplies store.
Queensland Police said detectives were unaware of any complaints made about the incident. The alleged thief then fled.
In footage of the altercation a large cardboard box falls from the woman’s pram onto the pavement (pictured)
The footage shows the frustrated employee grabbing the pram while the woman pretends there is a baby inside
A second clip later posted online shows the woman barging past the employee and taking off down the car park as another worker picks up an allegedly stolen rotor