Shop owner captured on CCTV wrestling and chasing iPhone thief as crowd gathers outside store

A phone thief got more than he bargained for when he tried to scarper from a shop with a brand new iPhone .

Dramatic CCTV footage shows the man being wrestled to the ground by owner Sam Haji, who wasn't going to let the device go without a fight.

A crowd gathered outside the store, which is in Leicester, to witness the brawl, the Leicester Mercury reports.

Mr Haji said the customer had been in the shop for half an hour, gaining his trust, before casually unplugging the phone and trying to walk out.

The man is seen breaking free and running out of the shop, only for Mr Haji to chase him, and the two come back through the doors, still fighting.

The thief struck at JH Smartphone in Gallowtree Gate, and despite Mr Haji's efforts, got away with the iPhone.

At the start of the video clip, a man can be seen playing with a phone, which is plugged in at the front desk.

He starts to look around while still having the phone in his hand then casually unplugs the gadget, quickly turning round and walking out the door.

Within seconds, Sam runs round the desk and starts to chase the thief, grabbing him just in time to close the door and trap him inside.