There has been spate of attempted break ins at shops and cafes along the Esplanade recently.
No major damage has been done with many businesses pleased security systems deterred the would-be thieves.
Pinocchio’s owner Albert Oldfield discovered that a man had climbed over a gate with spikes attached to the top and accessed an area at the back of his café that contained boxes of soft drinks and water.
“As soon as he entered the security lights came on and the camera started recording the incident,” Albert said.
The hapless thief grabbed a box of Fanta cans and threw them over the gate before climbing back out himself.
“A majority of the cans exploded on impact, then after he gathered what was undamaged he left a trail of dropped cans as he fled,” Albert said.
IMAGE: Owner of Pinocchio’s, Albert Oldfield, with the remnants of a box of Fanta which was stolen from his store recently. (PS)