Confronting footage captured the moment a Kmart security guard tackled a would-be thief after he attempted to steal a drink.
One shopper, Ra Agarwal, captured the video in Pacific Werribee Kmart, in southeast Melbourne, while shopping with her children last Thursday.
The video showed the alleged thief and a security guard exchanging blows with the attempted drink-snatcher at one point jumping on top of a display in a bid to escape.
The altercation finally came to an end when the large security guard slammed the young man to the ground.
Ms Agarwal told News.com.au the fight started when the shopper attempted to walk out of the Kmart with a drink he hadn't paid for.
When told by security to pay for the drink, he walked toward the check-out before throwing the drink and walking away.
'He was later escorted out of the shopping centre by other security people,' Ms Agarwal said.
The mother described the incident as 'scary' but was relieved 'no machetes were involved'.
A man was seen fighting with a security guard at Pacific Werribee Kmart last Thursday
'It was scary to be in the middle of such scenes, especially with kids,' she said.
Thousands of commenters under the video shared exhaustion with the state of crime in Victoria.
'Only in Victoria,' one wrote.
'Those poor shoppers. I wish we could feel safe in stores again,' another said.
'Give that security guard a raise,' another wrote.
Data from 2025 found retail was the third most common setting for crime in Victoria with almost one offence recorded every five minutes.
Pacific Werribee itself was plunged into lockdown early this month when 50 teenagers began brawling.
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allen in March announced an extension of 'Operation Pulse', which sees Victoria Police officers regularly patrol shopping centres.
The confrontation ended when the security guard slammed the attempted shoplifter to the ground
'We have new solutions to keep you safe, with PSOs in shopping centres, violence reduction in our schools, and Adult Time in the law,' Allen said at the time.
'We're putting police and Protective Service Officers where the problems are, protecting you where you shop, work and spend time.'
It's understood police were not involved in the incident.
Daily Mail has contacted Kmart for comment.