CCTV footage circulating online has captured the moment a salesgirl in South Africa locked an armed robber inside a shop after he entered the premises, leaving him struggling to find an escape route.

The video, shared on X, shows the suspect walking through the shop’s glass entrance and moving towards the counter where the female employee was standing.

Rather than confronting him directly, the woman moves towards the entrance and shuts the door behind him before activating a security door, effectively trapping him inside the store.

The suspect appears to realise what has happened and immediately attempts to get out. He tries to force open the entrance and moves around the shop in search of another exit, but remains unable to escape through the secured doorway.

The footage does not show the suspect stealing any items before the employee locks him inside. It is also unclear what happened after the recording ended, whether police were called or if the suspect was eventually arrested.

The video has attracted reactions on social media, with viewers praising the employee’s composure and quick thinking. Others have joked about the suspect’s predicament after what appeared to be an attempted robbery took an unexpected turn.

However, the incident also highlights the risks faced by retail workers during armed robberies. It is not clear whether the employee knew the suspect was armed before securing the entrance.