Bar patrons in Dunedin managed to restrain 23-year-old until police arrived after they caught him allegedly trying to steal money out of the till.
Senior Sergeant Mel Aitken, of Dunedin, said police were called to the Valley Lodge in Kaikorai Valley Rd at 6.15pm, after reports the man had sneaked under the bar while the barmaid was busy.
He was seen opening the cash register, which had $538 in it, before being restrained by patrons.
The unemployed man has been charged with theft and is expected to appear in the Dunedin District Court next week.
