Steakhouse strikes back at thieves

Security footage. Photo / Supplied

Social media leads to arrest after restaurant is robbed.

Thieves who burgled a popular steak restaurant have had their faces posted on social media sites - with one swift arrest already well done.

The trio broke into Tony's Restaurant in Henderson taking $1600 worth of alcohol and smashing cash registers in a failed attempt to get money.

Owner Chris Sinclair put footage on Facebook. Within days a relative had recognised one of the men and he was arrested.

The restaurant was a regular target and had been broken into six times over six weeks in a row last year. Sinclair said he was sick of turning up to work expecting the worst.

"Last year it was happening all the time, but this time was harder because it is just before Christmas and our tills with the menus loaded were smashed," Sinclair said. "It is the last straw, we have just had enough."

One thief broke in several times and was caught on camera and arrested. He was jailed but started breaking in again when he got out. "We noticed the same type of break-in happening again and sure enough it was the same person," Sinclair said.

They also posted pictures on Facebook to identify a couple who had done a "dine and dash" at several restaurants.

"We have had an amazing response from people, not only to help catch these people but also the support we get.

"It is heart-warming to know people in the community support us and want this type of thing to stop."

The restaurant had a full security system with an alarm and cameras but thieves were quick to grab what they could and get out again.

Sinclair said staff now removed all alcohol from the bar - more than an hour's work at the end of the night. "It is a real inconvenience but we want to make this as non-beneficial to these people as possible."