Newcastle Police

Abermain Couple Caught on Camera Stealing Pub’s Potted Plants, Boast on Facebook

today14 January 2025

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ABERMAIN: In a strange early morning theft, a couple was caught on camera taking potted plants from popular local venue Qirkz in the Hunter at around 5am this morning. Not only were they captured on CCTV sneaking away with the greenery, but they later posted photos on social media, showing off the plants in their own backyard.

According to the pub’s owners, the theft was discovered after staff noticed several missing planters from the front of the establishment. Surveillance footage posted on both the Qirkz in the Hunter Facebook page and the Cessnock Community Noticeboard page shows a man and a woman hurrying to remove the plants and load them into a vehicle. The business owners asked the public for help in identifying the pair, pointing out that leaving plants outside overnight should not give anyone the right to take them.

Community members quickly responded with outrage, describing the act as “lowlife behaviour” and “beyond disgraceful.” In an unusual twist, the suspected thieves used Facebook accounts under various names and began commenting on the same post that exposed them. Screenshots reveal one alleged perpetrator poking fun at the situation, insisting the plants were only worth “$10” and that the theft was “no big deal.” They also shared photos of the stolen ferns, still in their original pots, sitting proudly in a residential backyard.

Local residents highlighted further concerning details, including the couple’s apparent admission that they were intoxicated in the early hours of the morning and had driven to the pub to commit the theft. One commenter remarked, “It’s not only theft, it’s drunk driving,” while another, who heard dogs barking around 5am, said, “How low can you go, stealing pot plants?”

Qirkz in the Hunter has handed over all evidence, including CCTV footage and the social media exchanges, to the police. They are asking anyone with information to come forward. Many in the community remain astonished that anyone would steal pot plants and then brag about it publicly.

You may also report anonymously by phoning crimestoppers on 1800 333 000 or online at nsw.crimestoppers.com.au

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Written by: Newy Staff


Newy 87.8 FM is an FM radio station established in 2014 targeting Classic Hits music enthusiasts across Newcastle and The Central Coast, Australia. The station plays 60s 70s and 80s music. The station can be streamed online via this website or smart phone apps such as Tunein. In 2024 we opened a local newsroom dedicated to publishing Newcastle News.