A Queensland business has been forced to install security cameras on its fruit stands after a man driving a luxury car was caught on video allegedly taking an armful of bananas without paying for them.
A man driving a Maserati was seen pulling up at a roadside fruit stall around 3.30pm yesterday afternoon.
Footage showed the man loading up as many bananas as his arms and chin could hold, before allegedly leaving without paying.
"If you don't have the money and the kids are hungry, grab a banana," business owner Aaron Marsh said.
But Marsh said the alleged banana thief "obviously has lots of money" and felt the need to "blatantly help themselves".
"That's upsetting," he said.
Marsh owns seven unmanned banana stalls across Cairns.
The stalls work on an honesty system, with customers able to pay with cash or card.
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The produce is $2 per kilogram, around half the price at major retailers.
"We have kept our prices at such a low rate, everyone's feeling the pinch these days," Marsh said.
Cameras have captured a spike in sticky-fingered freeloaders, with the owner threatening that unless people do the right thing, the stalls might be forced to close.
"If everyone thieves, they will probably go and everyone has to go to the supermarkets," he said.
"Hope you enjoyed your good bananas," Marsh said to the alleged banana thieves.
"Feel free to contact us and make payment."