Surveillance footage showed a moment of remarkable bravery when a father intervened during a jewelry store robbery attempt. This occurred when a would-be thief, armed with a hammer, confronted a staff member.
31-year-old Anthony Hubby and his partner, Jane Fleming, were at the Bendigo Marketplace just before 4 PM on Monday.
Without a moment’s hesitation, Hubby charged into the jewelry store, where a man in his twenties was smashing open a glass display case with a hammer in an apparent robbery.
Hubby quickly tackled the assailant, pinning him to the ground as he tried to break free. The dramatic scene unfolded as he restrained the suspect, showcasing his quick reaction in a tense situation.
While Hubby subdued the alleged burglar, Fleming guided other staff members to safety outside the store.
Shortly afterward, police and security personnel arrived, with Hubby then offering support to visibly shaken staff members.
“He was incredible. He didn’t think twice about his safety and just went for it,” staff member Tina Carson later recounted. “At first, we thought it was gunfire. He didn’t know it was a hammer, but he still jumped in.” She dubbed him an “Australian hero.”
Despite the praise, Hubby downplayed his actions. “I don’t consider myself a hero; I just did what anyone would do in that situation,” he said. “I’m just glad that no one got hurt—that was my main worry.” His humility resonated with many who heard the story.
The store manager, Cheryl Lubala, mentioned that the team has put Hubby’s name forward for a Courage Award, expressing hope that he would receive it, as she felt it encapsulated the essence of the recognition.
The suspect is now awaiting court proceedings at the Bendigo Magistrates Court, having not applied for bail, and is expected to remain in custody until August.
The day following the incident, the business took to Facebook to inform customers about the situation. They assured that their staff members and Hubby, a long-time customer, were doing well and emphasized their commitment to their team’s safety. The post expressed gratitude for Hubby’s bravery and recognized the support of the Marketplace management team during the event.
