Trust was left bruised at a small honesty fridge after seven punnets of strawberries were allegedly taken without payment.
Bri & Gills Fridge Shop Cullompton said the fruit, worth £10.50 in total, had been grown, picked, packaged and put out for sale by an elderly couple.
The shop said the strawberries were being sold for £1.50 a punnet through an honesty fridge system based on trust.
In a Facebook post, the business claimed two boys made a “couple of visits” and took seven punnets.
It said they had been caught on doorbell camera and CCTV, with audio, allegedly discussing prices while helping themselves.
The post added that one boy in a white shirt put a hood or dark jumper around his head during the second visit.
The business said: “For anyone wondering why this has wound me up so much: these are elderly people getting up early, working long hours in all weathers, trying to run an honest little setup based on trust.
“And today that trust got completely taken the piss out of.”
The shop said footage and images would be handed to police unless the £10.50 owed was paid back “ASAP”.
It added: “Frankly, it’s not even about the money now — it’s the principle and the sheer disrespect.”
The business appealed for anyone who recognises the boys, or saw them nearby, to send a private message.
It also urged the parents of the youngsters to “teach your kids some honesty” and pay what is owed before the matter goes further.
