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A RESTAURANT owner helplessly saw a real-life crimewatch on camera - and it was his own business being robbed.

Giovanni Malacrino, 60, logged on to his laptop to check his CCTV to see a live video of the suspect in action on Sunday night, who managed to escape before police arrived.

 The restaurant owner watched as the suspect broke into his property
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The restaurant owner watched as the suspect broke into his propertyCredit: Wales News Service

Veteran restaurant owner Giovanni was just about to tuck into his evening meal with glass of wine when he got a call about a break-in.

Footage inside the Italian restaurant called Giovanni's on Park Place, in Cardiff city centre shows a man creeping in and breaking into the till.

Police are now appealing for information - as Giovanni released images of the villain.

Giovanni said: "It was just so frustrating. I couldn't do anything about it."

 Above, restaurant owner Giovanni Malacrino
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Above, restaurant owner Giovanni MalacrinoCredit: Wales News Service
 Footage from inside the restaurant in Cardiff shows the suspect creeping in and breaking open the till
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Footage from inside the restaurant in Cardiff shows the suspect creeping in and breaking open the tillCredit: Wales News Service

He continued: "They took a few hundred pounds from the till and the tips but it will cost more than £1,000 to replace the till.

"I'd been working all day and I'd just sat down to a nice meal and glass of wine when I got the call.

"It's not just about the money though, it's the inconvenience. They made a right mess and I don't want my staff to feel unsafe.

"I think he entered with a knife because he came through the back and cut through the lock on the door."

 Giovanni said it was 'so frustrating' as he couldn't 'do anything about it'
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Giovanni said it was 'so frustrating' as he couldn't 'do anything about it'Credit: Wales News Service
 The thief took 'a few hundred pounds' from the till - but the owner said it will cost more than £1,000 to replace the till
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The thief took 'a few hundred pounds' from the till - but the owner said it will cost more than £1,000 to replace the tillCredit: Wales News Service

Giovanni got the call from his security company at around 11.30pm on Sunday.

Police have released CCTV images of a person they want to speak to in connection with the incident.

A South Wales Police spokeswoman said: "A man has broken in through the back door and has taken a large quantity of money from the till. CCTV has captured a suspect."

Anyone with information should contact police.


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