Cashpoint robber who held terrified pensioner at knifepoint is caught by police in dramatic swoop

A knife-wielding cashpoint robber stands behind his next victim - seconds before he is pounced on by police in a dramatic swoop.

Police seized Craig Berrey as he tried to steal cash from an elderly man at an ATM in broad daylight.

Hooded Berrey, 36, would sneak up behind his victims, put his arms around them while threatening them with a blade, before fleeing with their withdrawn money.

But the cashpoint thief was caught when two plain-clothed officers pounced on him as he attempted to mug a pensioner.

Police can be seen on CCTV leaping over a traffic barrier and battering Berrey to the ground seconds after his latest theft.

West Midlands Police released the footage of Berrey’s arrest after he was jailed at Birmingham Crown Court for seven years and four months on August 30.

He pleaded guilty to two robberies, one attempted robbery and one count of intimidating a witness.

The court heard Berrey travelled from his home in Northampton to target unsuspecting customers using the Lloyds TSB cash machine in Kings Norton, Birmingham.

On April 1 he was captured on the bank's CCTV cameras robbing a 25-year-old after she took out £60.

The next day he struck again and held a knife to a 38-year-old woman’s throat before making off with £20.

But it was third time unlucky for Berrey when he tried to rob another customer on April 3 this year.

Witnesses tipped police off after seeing him lurking by the ATM seconds before he pounced on his third victim.

Speaking after his sentencing, Detective Constable Darran Ford, of Birmingham South CID, said: 'We are satisfied with the sentence which will protect others from becoming one of his victims.

'Although none of his victims were injured they were all extremely shaken after having a knife held to their throats.

'It will have a lasting effect on them but hopefully the verdict will bring them some comfort.

'The simple message is that knives have no place on our streets.

'We would remind everyone to always be aware of their surroundings while using cash points and contact police if they are aware of anyone acting suspiciously.'