Wendouree resident Cameron Tougher. Credit:Ashleigh McMillan/The Courier

Hearing a rustling outside his Ballarat window at midnight, with neighbourhood dogs barking at the disturbance, 29-year-old Cameron Tougher went to investigate.

A man in his early 20s, wearing a blue T-shirt and washed-out blue jeans, suddenly bolted from Mr Tougher’s open car door with pockets bulging.

But instead of chasing the man down and starting a fight, or immediately calling the police, Mr Tougher decided compassion was the best choice.

“He was standing down on the corner of the street and I just asked, ‘Are you alright mate?’ ” he said.