Watch: Child groomed to steal cellphone from Chatsworth salon [video]

Video footage of a child stealing a cellphone belonging to an employee at a Chatsworth hair salon has caused outrage among concerned citizens.

The disgust expressed by social media users is warranted. In the last three weeks, several videos have emerged showing disturbing criminal behaviour aided and abetted by unscrupulous parents and adults. The latest case involves a boy, believed to be eight years old, pocketing a cellphone in what appears to be a carefully coordinated heist.

Kids turned into criminals

The modus operandi mimics similar incidents caught on camera in recent weeks. CCTV footage, obtained via the Colour Palette salon, which is situated above Seafood Hall at Joyhurst Centre in Chatsworth, shows the young boy entering the establishment flanked by two middle aged women.

The women, who are believed to be the masterminds behind the thievery, engage the salon’s only employee on duty. This distraction, which draws the employee out from behind the reception counter, provides the perfect opportunity for the child to pocket the unattended phone.

Watch: Child steals phone from Chatsworth salon

While hesitant at first, the boy, who is wearing a red cap in the video, sneaks behind the counter and picks the right moment to snatch the phone. He then scurries back to the two women, who, upon realising that the boy has successfully nicked the phone, promptly exit the store without any further engagement.

Salon eployee just wants her phone back

The footage was distributed by the chairperson of the Shallcross Community Forum, Mahendra Lillkan, who passed on an impassioned plea from the victim, stating:

“I humbly beg that parents play a important role in their kids lives and always discourage bad behaviour and wrong doings. I have been contacted by the owner of the phone who just want it returned. Please send me a private message if you can assist. Thanks. [sic]”

Speaking to IOL, Mahendra voiced concerns over the recent spate of similar incidents, bemoaning the fact that parents were grooming their children to commit crimes, saying:

“It is certain that he [the boy in the video] will soon escalate to more serious criminal activity. We want to stop this now before it’s too late for the poor child.”