A 7 News reporter proved persistence pays off, when she became a victim of crime while reporting on a separate robbery.

Estelle Griepink and her cameraman Chris Martin were filming at Ardeer in Melbourne’s west Tuesday afternoon.

While the crime journalist was reporting on a milk bar robbery, she became a victim of crime herself when a thief stole her mobile phone.

View photos Seven News journalist Estelle Griepink was reporting on an Ardeer milk bar robbery when her phone was snatched. Picture: 7 News More

View photos She chased the man who she suspected took her phone and confronted him until he handed it back. Picture: 7 News More

When Ms Griepink confronted the man, he denied he had taken her property, but the proof was in the CCTV.

Determined, she chased the man about a kilometre down the suburban street, peppering him with questions.

He finally confessed and gave her phone back.