This is the dramatic moment a gas station attendant clung to the window of an alleged fill-and-flee driver in Brazil.

The staff member spoke with the driver, who claimed he had forgotten his wallet at home but tried to drive away in Manhuacu City on February 19.

CCTV footage shows the quick-thinking worker grabbing the door by the opened window as the vehicle accelerated to prevent the customer from leaving.

He dangled on the position for 60ft (18m) before the alleged serial thief crashed on an oncoming pickup truck, leaving him with no choice but to stop.

The petrol station attendant said: 'He said he had left his wallet at home, but I recognised his face. He already pulled that excuse on us before.

'He thought he could trick us so many times, but he was wrong.'

An ambulance arrived on the scene and provided treatment to the worker. He was not seriously hurt.

The driver was arrested and taken to the police station for questioning.