Caught on Centro’s security cameras, a man caught a glimpse of the exposed till as he walked past the restaurant leaving the shopping centre.

He then walked back in, snatched the till and ran out with it.

The man jumped into a car with two other occupants and sped out of the parking lot, closely pursued by shop owner Ted Miller.

Mr Miller chased after the car trying to get footage of the car on his mobile phone but didn’t catch them in time.

Further attempts to cut the offenders off at the exit to the parking lot in his car were also unsuccessful.

Several witnesses to the incident described the car as a silver Mitsubishi Magna but could only recall the first three digits of the licence plate.

Shop assistant Janine Smale was at the back of the shop washing dishes when she saw the man hovering over the counter.

“I went to serve him and the next minute he was pinching the till,” she said.

“He ripped the wire out and everything. I’m still shaking.”

The offenders escaped with an undisclosed amount of money; however Mr Miller said the till had been emptied not too long before the theft.

While Centro Mandurah was able to provide police with photos and footage of the offender taking the till, police believe it is a timely reminder for shop owners to keep their tills securely fastened to the counter and to empty them regularly.

Witnesses are asked to call CrimeStoppers on 1800 333 000 or contact Mandurah Police on 9581 0222.