Australian pensioner, 82, caught shoplifting Vitamin C pills at pharmacy in Thailand

An Australian pensioner was caught shoplifting Vitamin C pills at a pharmacy in Thailand.

Bruce Willington, 82, walked into the drug store opposite Rai Vanasin Market in Chonburi province and allegedly pocketed a box of the supplements on September 23.

Employees said they were already familiar with his shoplifting schemes and stalled him with conversation until police could arrive.

Officers checked the CCTV footage, which reportedly showed the expat hobbling into the store to grab a Vitamin C box from the shelf and stashing it in his right pocket.

Staff claimed he had already stolen from the pharmacy twice.

The Aussie said he was there to buy eye drops, adding his doctor had advised him to take Vitamin C supplements for his health. He claimed he was having financial difficulties so he resorted to theft instead.

A police spokesman said: ‘The Australian man negotiated with the pharmacy and agreed to pay for the damages from the three thefts totalling 954 THB (21.7 GBP). However, the store's policy indicates that shoplifters will be fined 10 times the value of the stolen products, meaning he will need to pay 9,540 THB (217 GBP).

'He has negotiated with the shop so we do not need to prosecute him but they may pursue the case according to the legal procedures if the offender does not pay for what he stole.'

(1 GBP = 43.95 THB)