‘Give me my stuff back’: Woman charged after violent Melbourne retail incident caught on video

A woman has been charged following a dramatic outburst captured on video last month allegedly showing her smashing through the glass door of a Melbourne boutique.

Footage taken by bystanders shows the woman allegedly yelling in frustration and repeatedly kicking the locked glass doors of Ji Studio on Elizabeth Street in the CBD about 3pm on September 20. She was also allegedly seen using a barrier stand to try to force her way in, shouting, “give me my stuff back, c---“.

When the glass gave way, a crowd gathered outside as the woman allegedly stormed into the store, collecting clothing and cash before squeezing back out through the broken glass door. She then shouted one final time before walking away with the allegedly stolen items.

Police allege the woman had initially tried to steal clothing from the boutique, prompting staff to lock the doors. Police also say she then forced her way back in, armed with the barrier stand, and assaulted a female staff member who sustained minor injuries.

The 30-year-old woman from St Kilda East was arrested on Sunday and has since been charged with aggravated burglary, theft and criminal damage. She has been released on bail and is due to appear at the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on February 24, 2026.

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The incident sparked renewed calls for urgent government action on retail worker safety. At the time, Victorian retail union boss Michael Donovan said the incident showed exactly why his union was demanding the Allan government “deliver the tougher penalties it promised”.

“Waiting for Christmas, as the premier has promised, is too long. This latest attack shows retail workers and shoppers need proper protection now,” said Donovan, Victorian secretary of the Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees Association.

“If it was good enough to bring forward the machete ban, then surely the time for the government to act on its pledges to retail workers is now.”

With Cassandra Morgan

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