Moment brazen thief steals wad of money from shopper at ATM

On Feb 21, 2024

Published: 09:35, 21 February 2024 | Updated: 13:26, 21 February 2024

This is the second a thief snatched a big wad of money from a lady utilizing an ATM earlier than fleeing from the scene in broad daylight in the midst of a busy purchasing road.

Footage captured a person loitering behind his sufferer earlier than pushing in and grabbing the cash at a Lloyds cashpoint simply off Oxford Street in central London on Monday.

But a Good Samaritan intervened and chased the robber from the scene, inflicting him to drop a lot of the money which was then returned to the patron.

The theft occurred on Binney Street at round 12:20pm, with dozens of passersby within the neighborhood.

The lady, who was seen clutching a Selfridges bag, appeared considerably confused as she stood on the cashpoint as the person, dressed all in black, stood behind her.

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The sufferer of the crime was approached by the person (left) earlier than a passerby intervened (proper)

The passerby was then seen collecting the cash which was returned to the victim

The passerby was then seen gathering the money which was returned to the sufferer

He then pushed in entrance of her and the pair appeared to alternate phrases earlier than the person started jabbing at buttons on the ATM.

As the cash was disbursed, he’s seen grabbing it earlier than all of a sudden darting away up the road and shoving apart pedestrians.

But as he had been standing on the cashpoint, a form stranger appeared to understand one thing was amiss and approached the girl, earlier than giving chase up the road after the thief.

He seems to have caught him, inflicting him to drop a lot of the money, as later footage reveals him gathering up notes which had been dropped on the ground in a small close by park.

The brazen theft was reported to police.

A spokesperson for the Met Police stated: ‘Police had been known as to Oxford Street on the junction of Binney Street, W1C at about 12:29pm on Monday, 19 February following stories of a theft.

‘It was alleged {that a} man pushed a lady earlier than stealing money she had withdrawn from a money level on the location. The suspect ran off, dropping the cash as he left.

The man snatched the cash and then fled, knocking pedestrians out of his way as he did so

The man snatched the money after which fled, knocking pedestrians out of his means as he did so

The incident occurred at a Lloyds cashpoint on Binney Street at the junction with Oxford Street

The incident occurred at a Lloyds cashpoint on Binney Street on the junction with Oxford Street

The thief pushed in front of the woman before grabbing the cash dispensed by the ATM

The thief pushed in entrance of the girl earlier than grabbing the money disbursed by the ATM

‘The money was returned to the sufferer by a member of employees from an area store, who then reported the incident to police.

‘An investigation has been launched and enquiries are ongoing to hint the sufferer.’

The space round Oxford Street is a identified hotspot for thieves, with a equally daring criminal trying a theft simply days in the past.

Video confirmed the girl catching up along with her sufferer as she walked down a road close to the purchasing district.

She then tried to unzip the girl’s backpack to steal her purse and different valuables – however the shocked sufferer felt it and rotated, stopping the theft.

It comes as the speed of pickpocketing in London rises, with Westminster the borough with essentially the most recorded incidents prior to now yr.

Westminster had a staggering 20,871, with Camden second at 5,301, and Southwark third at 4,287.

Kensington & Chelsea got here fourth on 2,962, Islington fifth with 2,820 and Harrington sixth on 3,160.

Did YOU see the incident? Email [email protected]

How to identify a pickpocket

The Observers:

These embody folks loitering in public locations who look like trying out passers-by, paying specific curiosity to their purses, purchasing baggage and the place they could place their pockets or purse.

For instance, concentrate on people who look like focusing their consideration on the waist space of others. This could also be a sign of legal intent and possible theft. But do keep in mind the truth that some individuals are naturally shy and do keep away from eye contact. Always comply with your instincts.

The opportunists:

Pickpockets additionally function in outlets and department shops, the place individuals are extra prone to be standing nonetheless, distracted and so paying much less consideration to their belongings, making them a neater goal.

Be extra conscious of your environment in busy outlets and purchasing centres as a result of they’re splendid locations for pickpockets, because it’s simpler for them to brush previous folks, take objects and mix into the gang.

Team ways:

Pickpockets do not all the time function alone, they might work in groups to distract the goal whereas somebody unseen removes the objects and blends again into the gang. Another member would possibly step in as an enforcer within the occasion of an altercation.

Crowding in:

Thieves differ their ways based mostly on the situation and the density of the gang. One tactic is the place a gaggle of them push up towards a sufferer in a crowded store or road then shortly attain into the sufferer’s pocket and steal their pockets, cellphone or purse.

Dirty tips:

Remember, pickpockets are very expert at what they do. They know all of the tips and are extraordinarily light-fingered with most of their thefts solely taking a second or two. One of their ways is ‘hugger mugging’ the place a thief will look like over-friendly for no specific purpose and hug you whereas pickpocketing you.

The level of distraction:

Pickpocket groups are adept at creating distractions. This might be something from a sport to a loud shout, all designed to avert your consideration whereas an unseen confederate steals your valuables. So do strive to not be simply distracted.

Source: Met Police