Gloria’s Cafe in Ferntree Gully in Melbourne was robbed on Saturday morning

In a touching statement shared online, a café owner whose establishment was looted by a robber has showed extraordinary empathy for the perpetrator.

Gloria’s Cafe in Ferntree Gully, Melbourne, was robbed early Saturday morning after a man forced his way in via the front entrance.

Gloria Sooba, the cafe’s owner, later posted a statement on the cafe’s Facebook page about the robbery, expressing sympathy for the thief’s ‘experience’ in committing the horrific crime.

‘To the thief who broke into my cafe. ‘This is not how I wanted to start my weekend,’ she said.

‘I recognize that everyone is having a difficult time, and as a small company owner, I understand that more than ever. I’ve been in some pretty dark places, and I’ve always picked myself up and pushed myself to move forward.’

‘If you read this, I get it, I’ve been in the pits of hell and I know how hard it is, I also know no one can judge you as harshly as you do to yourself, this is how I changed my mind set,’ Miss Sooba wrote to the thief.

‘If you learn from a mistake, it’s no longer a mistake; it’s a lesson.’
‘I pray you find the fortitude to get through whatever you’re facing, and remember to take one step at a time,’ she wrote.

The cafe owner’s tweet drew a lot of good feedback from Victorians, who praised Gloria’s kind approach.

Some stated that they would make an effort to visit the cafe and spread the news about it in order to help Miss Sooba.

Cafe owner Gloria Sooba posted a message on social media about the robbery and expressed empathy for the culprit

‘Wow. One person wrote, ‘You are an extraordinary human being.’

‘Everyone should come together to support this cafe.’ Another person said, “What a wonderful post that deserves a lot more attention.”

‘Outstanding post,’ said a third. AMAZING.’

One person indicated that they worked in Ferntree Gully and would stop in for a coffee on their way home.

On Facebook, one woman tagged a friend and suggested they meet for coffee at the cafe.

‘Wow, you convey such kindness and empathy towards a someone who has acted selfishly and committed a crime in such desperation,’ another user remarked.

‘You have such a beautiful personality.’