This is the bizarre moment a man is caught on camera stealing a life-size gorilla statue in the dead of night from outside an antiques shop.

CCTV footage shows the suspect casually opening up his payload bay before pulling on a pair of gloves.

Then – after picking up a pair of bolt cutters – he severs the steel cable securing the gorilla to the shopfront.

Finally, he can be seen manhandling the gorilla into the back of the truck before driving off.

Newsflash obtained a statement from the Montgomery County Department of Police on Wednesday, 25th January, saying: “Officers from the Montgomery County Department of Police – 2nd District Patrol Services are investigating a theft of a gorilla statue that occurred on Wednesday, January 4, 2023, at Design Emporium Antiques in the 4000 block of Howard Ave. in Kensington.

“Detectives have released video of the male suspect and are asking for the public’s assistance in identifying him.

“The investigation has revealed that at approximately 3:18 a.m., the suspect arrived at the store in an older model Chevrolet Colorado Z71, got out of the vehicle and approached the statute. The suspect then cut the cable that was locking the statue to the front of the store, loaded it into the truck and left the scene.

“Officers reviewed the surveillance cameras of the store and obtained a physical description of the suspect.

“The suspect is described as a White male, approximately 5-feet, 10-inches tall, medium build, wearing a dark colored hooded sweatshirt, light gray sweatpants and light-colored shoes.”

The police have appealed to members of the public to contact them with any information that may lead to an arrest, saying: “Anyone with information regarding this suspect or this crime is asked to contact Crime Solvers of Montgomery County toll-free at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477).”

They added: “A reward of up to USD 10,000 is being offered for information that leads to the arrest of the suspect. Callers can remain anonymous.”