The owners of Plantuguese, a restaurant in Stokes Croft, Bristol, have recounted the dramatic moment they chased and apprehended a man who broke into their establishment and stole cash from the till. The incident occurred on May 28, when the thief smashed a toilet window to gain entry.
After reviewing CCTV footage, the owners spotted the suspect walking nearby and gave chase. During the pursuit, the man picked up a shovel and attempted to confront them, while also jumping over fences in an effort to escape. With the help of bystanders, the owners managed to detain him until police arrived.
In a social media post, the restaurant team expressed gratitude for the community support, stating: 'It really showed us what community spirit in Bristol means. Complete strangers stepped in to help, support us, and make sure we were okay.' They added that no one was hurt and thanked the public for their assistance.
Owners Gerda Juozapavičiūtė and Tiago Goulart voiced concerns about rising crime in the area, noting that this was not an isolated incident. They cited previous thefts and vandalism, saying: 'As small business owners, this has been deeply traumatising. We have invested our hearts, our savings, and countless hours into building Plantuguese.'
The couple also criticised the police response, suggesting that without their own intervention, the suspect might not have been caught. 'We understand that the police are dealing with an increasing number of burglaries... but no business owner should have to operate with the constant fear of theft, vandalism, or break-ins,' they said. Avon & Somerset Police have been contacted for comment.
