Yahoo News CCTV shows moment thief brazenly robs elderly man at cash point
Michael Hooper, 43, approached the victim at a cash machine at Sainsbury’s in Crawley, West Sussex.
Watch: Footage shows moment thief brazenly robs an elderly man at cash point
This is the moment a thief brazenly robbed an elderly man at a cash point in broad daylight.
Police said Michael Hooper, 43, approached the victim at a cash machine at Sainsbury’s in Crawley, West Sussex, on 10 April last year and asked him for some money.
When the man refused, Hooper pushed him and snatched the cash from his hand, before running from the scene in Crawley Avenue, West Green.
CCTV footage released by Sussex Police showed the victim desperately trying to fight back but he could not fend off Hooper.
During a second incident on 22 May, Hooper entered a newsagents in Ifield Road, West Green, and attempted to purchase a bottle of whisky.
After his card was declined, he walked towards the till area but was challenged by staff.
He then reached over the counter and took a 70cl bottle of whiskey without paying for it and ran out of the shop.
He returned just over an hour later, this time in possession of two Stanley knives, which he brandished towards staff behind the counter.
The staff activated the security alarm as Hooper again reached across the counter and stole two further 70cl bottles before leaving the store.
Both incidents were captured on CCTV and the suspect was subsequently identified as Hooper.
Hooper was arrested and charged with burglary, two counts of robbery and two counts of possession of a knife in public.
He pleaded guilty to all five offences and was sentenced to a total of 44 months in prison at Lewes Crown Court in East Sussex on 24 February.
Inspector Steve Turner, of the Crawley Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “While Hooper fully admitted the offences in police interview, it does not lessen the impact on the victims, who understandably feared for their own safety.
“Thankfully we were able to quickly identify him from the CCTV footage, and this demonstrates the value of our officers regularly patrolling the town and being able to recognise people of interest."
