This is the dramatic moment a brazen thief jumped on a store counter to steal 69k USD of gold necklaces - while threatening staff with a toy gun.

Nithinan Thanaweerawacharakul, 35, pointed the fake firearm at employees before climbing on the display case to pluck dozens of gold jewellery at the Yaowarat Krungthep Gold Shop in Bangkok on May 24.

Footage shows the helmet-wearing thug grabbing the bundle of about 60 necklaces while a security officer tried to stop him.

Nithinan ran to the mall carpark and hopped inside his car to flee.

Local police were able to track down his vehicle to Nonthaburi province just 10 miles north of Bangkok. They arrested him at his home and found the stolen gold and the toy gun still in his possession.

Officers said the necklaces were estimated to be around 2.4 million THB (69,000 USD).

The suspect reportedly told the officers he was a former security guard who is now unemployed. He claimed he was cash-strapped and had resorted to theft to solve his financial difficulties.

Nithinan said he had initially planned to rob shops in the Phetkasem area of Bangkok, but staff were suspicious and refused to let him in. He said he targetted the gold store in the mall since it had no security doors or gates.

Inexperienced security guard Wichian said: 'It was my first day on the job when the robbery happened. I tried to stop the suspect but he pointed the gun at me. I was scared of being shot so I let him go.'