A security guard who made headlines in Australia this week for forcefully confronting and shoving a would‑be thief to the ground has been widely praised online, with many social media users—particularly Tongans—labelling him as Tongan.
The 17‑second footage, captured by the dashcam of a fortuitously positioned passing vehicle, shows a large security guard in a high‑vis vest and shorts walking calmly across the car park in Melbourne.
A man dressed in black then tries to briskly slip past him, carrying a 10‑pack—allegedly stolen from the nearby Aldi—in his left arm.
As the two cross paths, the security guard delivers a swift and forceful blow to the man’s upper chest and throat, sending the alleged thief crashing backwards to the ground.
However, a second video has since surfaced featuring the same security guard, showing him being confronted by two men.
In the clip, he is seen engaging one man directly while reacting to another who approaches from the side.
News 10 identified him on‑air as “Maka the Security Guard”—and while Maka is a common Tongan name, his nationality has not been confirmed.
Online Reactions Pour In
The viral footage has generated a wave of enthusiastic responses across social media platforms, with many users praising the security guard’s decisive action.
Dozens of commenters urged authorities and his employer to “give him a pay rise,” arguing that his quick thinking likely prevented further theft or harm.
Others hailed him as a hero, applauding both his confidence and the sheer force of the takedown.
“This guy deserves a medal,” one user wrote, while another added, “Best tackle of the year—sign him to the NRL!”
Tongan Claims Emerge Online
A number of Tongan users claimed the guard as their own, pointing to his build and the name “Maka” mentioned by an Australian news anchor.
“If he’s Tongan, that’s to’a right there,” one commenter said, referencing the cultural expression for courage.
Humour also filled the comment threads, with some jokingly referring to him as “the Aldi Avenger” and others teasing that the alleged thief “picked the wrong day, wrong store, and definitely the wrong security guard.”
Despite the comedic tone of many reactions, several users also highlighted the risks involved in such confrontations, praising the guard for staying calm before delivering the decisive blow.
“His composure was next level,” one person noted in Tongan.
“He waited, watched, and reacted at exactly the right moment.”
