Caught on camera: Man steals money from tip jar in Estero

A business manager says he feels violated after a man took money from a tip jar on Tuesday.

At the World-famous Cigar Bar in Gulf Coast Town Center you are expected to have a cigar in hand, not a handful of cash from their tip jar.

“My heart’s racing because I’m irritated,” said Kevin Robbins, director of operations at Cigar bar.

A surveillance video capturing the crook in the act was sent to WINK News by the manager of Cigar Bar.

The thief told the worker that he could not speak English. The employee then walked away from the counter for just a moment to get help.

When he got back he realized there was money missing from his tip jar.

“We treat our staff as family,” said Robbins. “So when stuff like this happens to your family, naturally, it upsets you.”

The shiny silver jar may have caught the man’s eye, but security cameras caught him red-handed.

He plucked not one, but two bills from the jar, quickly stuffing them in his pocket before going back in for thirds.

Robbins estimates the man stole about $60; half his employee’s earnings that shift.

“My staff works hard for their money. That is their pay. Tips are their pay. So to reach in there and pull that out, you’re taking from him, and of course, you’re disappointing all of us,” said Robbins.

The theft is disappointing to both staff and customers.

“I’m definitely annoyed that that happened,” said Jeff Heiss, a regular at cigar bar. “Maybe this guy’s in a bad spot, I don’t know, but you can’t be doing that.”

For Robbins, the search for this tip dipper is on.

“I hope somebody with all of this and it going viral on social media, that we will be able to find this individual and do what’s right,” said Robbins.

Robbins told WINK News he has yet to go to the Lee county sheriff’s office about this theft.

However, if he can find this gentleman from his post on social media, then he will look into pressing charges.