WACO, Texas — A woman was caught on camera Wednesday at the Hobby Town in Waco walking out the front of the store with a 40-inch race boat she did not pay for, Sales Lead Eric Lux told 6 News.
"She came in, I showed her the pianos, showed her some of the main items and showed her the cars," Lux said. "She came to the counter and wanted a boat you can build, but we don't have those so we showed her the model kits that are remote control."
Lux said the encounter was nothing out of the ordinary and said the woman had "no red flags."
The woman entered the store and went a few rows back, picking up the boxed boat and moving it to the front row of items closest to the door, video shows.
She approached Lux and told him she picked out an electric car and asked Lux if he could get her decal stickers of flames to put on the car for a family member. That's when Lux said he went toward the middle aisles to retrieve the decals, and the woman left out the front door with the boat -- which costs $449.95.
Not only was she caught on security camera in committing the theft, Lux said a fellow customer also saw her.
"We had a customer that said 'hey I'm no dummy but she's walking out with the box,'" Lux said.
Immediately after she left, Lux said he called every pawn shop in the city to see if the boat was turned in. He also said the incident left store employees in disbelief.
"At any dollar amount it's a big hit, but I feel good about our chances of recovering this one," Lux said.
As a precaution, Lux said there will now be an employee stationed at the counter near the front end of the store and "everyone" will be on high alert to avoid another theft from happening.
"I would tell them to get a job, there's always something else out there to earn a dollar, there's plenty of places out here hiring," Lux said. "Don't take from us."
Lux said the store's owner has filed a report with the Waco Police Department regarding the theft. Anyone with information is asked to contact Waco Police at 254-750-7500.
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