The “brazen” thefts of tip jars from two Rotorua cafes have been captured on CCTV footage – with the businesses convinced the same man is responsible for both.

In the incidents, which happened weeks apart last month, a male customer hid the jars under his jacket while staff were distracted.

Ōkere Falls Store owner Greg Thomas said his store’s tip jar was taken on March 24, just before 9am.

Thomas said his CCTV footage showed the suspect entering the store twice that morning, taking the tip jar from the counter on the second visit.

The footage showed the man making a purchase. When the staff member serving him turned around, the man took the tip jar and concealed it under his jacket.

Thomas said his staff discovered the tip jar was missing on Thursday when a regular customer asked where it was.

He looked at the store’s CCTV footage to “piece it all together”.

He said he was taken aback by how “brazen” the incident was.

“It’s not my money as a business owner, it’s the customers’ money they’ve chosen to put in there.”

He estimated about $100 was in the jar when it was taken.

Staff used the money, collected in a beloved limited-edition mug, to go out to dinner together.

A customer stashed the Ōkere Falls Store tip jar in his jacket as a staff member turned away.

Thomas said the suspect’s actions appeared “smooth” and “polished”.

The retailer reported the incident to the police and posted footage of the theft online.

He said the public had been coming forward with information about the suspect.

“It’s the overall principle of someone coming in and helping themself in such a deceitful way.”

Staff from another Rotorua cafe saw the video and approached Thomas about their similar recent experience.

Le Cafe de Paris manager Sammie Kaur said the cafe had also served a man who took their tip jar and concealed it in his jacket when a staff member turned around.

The incident happened on March 4, at 9.50am.

Staff noticed the tip jar was missing the next day, so Kaur reviewed the cafe’s CCTV footage.

Le Cafe de Paris also had its tip jar stolen by a customer.

“[The suspect] pretended like nothing had happened and waited for his order.”

Kaur said she believed it was the same man from the Ōkere Falls Store footage – and Thomas said he agreed.

Kaur said Le Cafe de Paris’s tip jar might have held $500 or more when it was taken.

The funds were usually divided among employees when the jar was full.

“It really motivates them to work hard, so this is a disappointment for them.”

Both cafe owners said the incidents were reported to police.

Police told the Rotorua Daily Post inquiries were ongoing and no arrests had been made.

Bijou Johnson is a multimedia journalist based in the Bay of Plenty. A passionate writer and reader, she grew up in Tauranga and developed a love for journalism while exploring various disciplines at university. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Classical Studies from Massey University.