CCTV captures moment staff member wrestles with offender during chainsaw theft

CCTV has captured the moment a 67-year-old worker bravely attempted to stop a brazen chainsaw thief in Melbourne's south-east earlier this week.

Police believe the man entered The Red Shed Superstore on Greens Road in Dandenong South at about 3pm on Tuesday, posing as a customer.

"After five minutes he picked up two chainsaws and started walking out," staff member Shane Russell said.

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CCTV footage captured the moment Russell ran outside in an attempt to stop the thief.

"Instinct, that was it. You can't do that to us, that's not fair," Russell said.

Despite being pushed to the ground, Russell got back up to stop the chainsaw bandit.

He was again thrown to the ground as the thief got into a white car.

Several others rushed to the worker's aid, but the car sped off with the door partially open.

It's understood the getaway car then ran a red light turning right onto busy Greens Road.

The thief and his accomplice escaped with $5000 worth of gear, while Russell was left with a few scratches after the scuffle.

"Go and get a job and earn your keep the correct way," he said.

"Don't do this to the people who work for a living."

The suspects remain on the run.

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