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You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2014/dec/05/hypnotist-thief-robs-shopkeeper-london-trance
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| ‘Hypnotist thief’ robs shopkeeper after appearing to put him in a trance | ‘Hypnotist thief’ robs shopkeeper after appearing to put him in a trance |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Police in London have released CCTV footage of a man apparently using hypnotism-type distraction techniques to rob the owner of a shop without the victim realising what was happening. | |
| The film, shown on the BBC’s Crimewatch programme on Thursday night, shows the alleged robber enter the off licence in Highgate, north London, and engage the owner in conversation, standing very close to him. The CCTV shows him gently touching the shop owner several times, on the stomach and shoulder, with the victim standing motionless. | The film, shown on the BBC’s Crimewatch programme on Thursday night, shows the alleged robber enter the off licence in Highgate, north London, and engage the owner in conversation, standing very close to him. The CCTV shows him gently touching the shop owner several times, on the stomach and shoulder, with the victim standing motionless. |
| The man is seen going through the shopowner’s trouser pockets twice as he speaks rapidly to him, removing a large bundle of cash, believed to be shop takings. As the man leaves, the shopowner apparently emerges from a trance-like state and attempts to walk after him. | The man is seen going through the shopowner’s trouser pockets twice as he speaks rapidly to him, removing a large bundle of cash, believed to be shop takings. As the man leaves, the shopowner apparently emerges from a trance-like state and attempts to walk after him. |
| The Metropolitan police said the alleged robber told the victim his wife was pregnant and that he needed some bottled water. He can be seen on the footage mimicking a bulge on his stomach, and touching the shopowner’s stomach. | The Metropolitan police said the alleged robber told the victim his wife was pregnant and that he needed some bottled water. He can be seen on the footage mimicking a bulge on his stomach, and touching the shopowner’s stomach. |
| Det Sgt Dave Bullock, from Haringey police, said: “The victim in this incident said that he was momentarily unaware of what had happened to him. The suspect’s distraction tactics appeared to have worked as he robbed the victim of cash from his pocket. If anyone recognises the suspect or has been a victim in similar circumstances, please contact us.” | Det Sgt Dave Bullock, from Haringey police, said: “The victim in this incident said that he was momentarily unaware of what had happened to him. The suspect’s distraction tactics appeared to have worked as he robbed the victim of cash from his pocket. If anyone recognises the suspect or has been a victim in similar circumstances, please contact us.” |
| The suspect is described as possibly east European, 30-35, slim and about 5ft 8ins tall. He was wearing dark jeans, a grey polo shirt and a black bomber jacket. | The suspect is described as possibly east European, 30-35, slim and about 5ft 8ins tall. He was wearing dark jeans, a grey polo shirt and a black bomber jacket. |