A social media user is attracting significant online attention — and serious condemnation — after allegedly stealing hundreds of dollars worth of groceries from major Australian supermarkets and filming himself cooking the stolen goods for his TikTok followers.
The man, who goes by the name Tommy Testarossa and obscures his face in most videos, is filmed by a friend as he allegedly walks out of well-known supermarkets with high-value items he has not paid for. He then takes his haul to the kitchen, cooking elaborate meals that he shares with an apparently growing online audience.
Targeting the expensive items
In one video, the man is heard advising viewers to go after premium products rather than cheaper alternatives. "You want to go for the expensive s***, you don't want to be getting the $13 stuff," he says, referencing olive oil as an example of a worthwhile target.
He has also been seen swapping tactics — trading baskets for beef cheeks — and producing meals such as ragu from his allegedly stolen ingredients. In a particularly brazen moment, he invokes Australian celebrity chef Curtis Stone, referencing Stone's former association with budget cooking at Coles. "Shout out (to) Curtis Stone, brah," he says on camera.
Supermarkets and retail industry respond
Coles has issued a direct response to the videos, saying it is "deeply concerned to see these types of videos encouraging illegal activity." The supermarket chain added that it works closely with police to identify and pursue repeat offenders.
Woolworths has also confirmed it is aware of the footage and is actively assisting police with their enquiries.
The retail industry's peak body has been equally scathing. Fleur Brown of the Australian Retail Council condemned the content outright, warning that it goes beyond one individual's actions. "He's essentially encouraging people to steal. It's also a crime that impacts all Australians. Around $9 billion a year at least is lost to retail theft," Brown said.
A growing and troubling trend
The videos appear to be gaining traction despite — or perhaps because of — their controversial nature, raising broader questions about the role social media platforms play in amplifying criminal behaviour for the sake of views and engagement.
Retail theft at this scale is not a victimless act, experts warn. The $9 billion annual cost of retail crime in Australia is ultimately passed on to consumers through higher prices, placing an additional burden on everyday shoppers already under cost-of-living pressure.
Police investigations are understood to be ongoing, with both major supermarket chains cooperating with authorities. It remains to be seen whether the online notoriety the individual is cultivating will ultimately lead to criminal charges.
