Does anyone know this thief? Caught on camera......

[symyjym]

There is an offence of attempted theft as I posted above. The cctv evidence would be enough to charge him.

He could argue that his conscience got the better of him at the last second so he didn't take anything, even though it is clear that the lack of paper money in the till was the real reason

It probably depends if on what he says when interviewed.

 

[34064 Fighter Command]

In law the cash register drawer can be considered 'private property'.

The criminal only has to be guilty of INTENT to steal ( nothing actually HAS to be taken ), and this video clearly proves his intent, and his guilt. Therefore the theft act 1968 stipulates a prison term of 7 years for theft, and 10 years for burglary ( for a shop premises ). For a dwelling the prison term would be 14 years.

It's up to the Police and CPS to decide whether the charge is theft or burglary, but if the cash register is so easily accessible, proving 'unlawful entry' may mean the burglary charge won't stick.

 

[Nibble]

He looked like a curious fellow, seemed to be enjoying his Hubba Bubba too. What a plum, any one of those guitars a couple of feet away from him would have been worth more than what seems to be in that till.

It's bad that this happens to shops but what you just saw there happens about 200 times a day across Brighton.

I doubt very much he would get charged for what's on that footage unless he gets caught doing the same again in which case this will probably be taken into account but his face will now be all across town and I would imagine his days of till lurking are numbered.

 

[The Fifth Column]

He could argue that his conscience got the better of him at the last second so he didn't take anything, even though it is clear that the lack of paper money in the till was the real reason

It probably depends if on what he says when interviewed.

That argument would not give him a defence at all. In the eyes of the law he has well and truly crossed the boundary, a criminal attempt is usually defined as an act more than merely preparatory to the actual offence. in laymans terms that means he could probably use that defence if he just paid very close attention to the till, looking at it closely and perhaps even putting his hand on it, he could claim he had dropped something and was looking for it however the minute he opens the till then the offence is committed, he has committed an act that you would only do if you wanted to obtain the contents of the till. He is absolutely bang to rights and it wouldnt matter what he says in interview, that cctv would be enough to charge him, its unambiguous, it clearly identifies him and I hope he is caught and banged up.

 

[KZNSeagull]

He could argue that his conscience got the better of him at the last second so he didn't take anything, even though it is clear that the lack of paper money in the till was the real reason

It probably depends if on what he says when interviewed.

I don't think he could - he turns to whoever is off camera and mouths what to me looks like the word "nothing". Not the words or actions of someone having second thoughts.

 

[34064 Fighter Command]

I don't think he could - he turns to whoever is off camera and mouths what to me looks like the word "nothing". Not the words or actions of someone having second thoughts.

Agreed - this guy has obviously graduated from 'dipping' using the same MO to ensure the victim (shop assistant) is distracted - there is probably a 3rd gang member casually diverting the sales assistant away from the till, which is why the guy is looking to the right hand side of the store, waiting for his chance to strike.

It's a distraction burglary, pure and simple. The method is the same as used by someone sneaking in your back door and picking up your wallet / purse whilst his accomplice is at the front asking about his 'lost cat', ' drink of water', or ' any odd jobs needed about the house'.

 

[Lady Whistledown]

My guess would be a charge of attempted theft, FWIW. The burglary charge is sometimes used in these cases, under the "enters a building or part of a building as a trespasser" bit of the Theft Act, but I imagine the CPS would go for the nailed on simple (Attempted) Theft in this case. He remains on the "right" side of the counter, even if his hands are crossing the line. And it's clearly a more than a merely preparatory act so the offence is made out IMHO.

 

[Da Man Clay]

These threads are always entertaining for how little people know about the law. Edna (and few others) are spot on. From a crime recording perspective it's an Attempted Burglary and from a charging perspective it'll be an Attempted Theft. The act is clearly more than merely preparatory.

 

[Tom Hark Preston Park]

Not-so-Clever Trevor seems to know his way round an unguarded till pretty well. If he's a local toe-rag, he'll doubtless already be known to some on here in a professional capacity. And if he's not a local, well, The Metro just LOVE stuff like this...

 

[Dave the OAP]

No one likes a grass seemly.

 

[symyjym]

He has been caught on camera again;

"The brazen thief leant over the counter at Gaskyns, in Queen Street, Arundel, while the cashier's back was turned and and grabbed £250."



http://www.theargus.co.uk/news/11875498.CCTV__Do_you_know_this_man_stealing_money_from_a_till_/

 

[symyjym]

I don't think he could - he turns to whoever is off camera and mouths what to me looks like the word "nothing". Not the words or actions of someone having second thoughts.

I didn't notice him saying that, even after watching it again. He was definately chewing gum though.

These threads are always entertaining for how little people know about the law. Edna (and few others) are spot on. From a crime recording perspective it's an Attempted Burglary and from a charging perspective it'll be an Attempted Theft. The act is clearly more than merely preparatory.

It is easy to say that, but you haven't gone further to explain what the punishment would be as an isolated incident? Slap on the wrist caution, £100 fine, Asbo, community service or a prison term?

In the case of shoplifting you can only be stopped when you walk out of a shop with the goods. He left Badlands Guitars empty handed.

Any punishment would depend on previous convictions or as part of a list of new charges. As it stands now with the second incident caught on CCTV in Arundel, his charge list will include theft and an attempted theft.

 

[Nibble]

These threads are always entertaining for how little people know about the law. Edna (and few others) are spot on. From a crime recording perspective it's an Attempted Burglary and from a charging perspective it'll be an Attempted Theft. The act is clearly more than merely preparatory.

I've no doubt he could be arrested for it but having worked in that line for nigh on ten years a while back my guess is it'd be iffy if it went much further, depending on whether other similar incidents are taken into account. I doubt it'd see the inside of a court room.

 

[KZNSeagull]

I didn't notice him saying that, even after watching it again. He was definately chewing gum though.

.

He definitely says it, clear as day. He turns to the right and says "nothing" whilst sticking his hands in his pockets.

 

[Official Old Man]

Owning a small shop people who steal from me are lower than the scum of this earth. I call the police who may turn up, may not. I've caught kids and thrown them against a wall, expect to be charged one day. Caught three kids just about to steal and blow me two coppers walked by. I told the police whose response was 'well they haven't done anything wrong'. The police would not even talk to the kids who in turn thought it hilarious.

 

[Return of the Rev]

Owning a small shop people who steal from me are lower than the scum of this earth. I call the police who may turn up, may not. I've caught kids and thrown them against a wall, expect to be charged one day. Caught three kids just about to steal and blow me two coppers walked by. I told the police whose response was 'well they haven't done anything wrong'. The police would not even talk to the kids who in turn thought it hilarious.

Its political correctness gone mad!

 

[Triggaaar]

He didn't look at all shifty.

 

[Thunder Bolt]

I've no doubt he could be arrested for it but having worked in that line for nigh on ten years a while back my guess is it'd be iffy if it went much further, depending on whether other similar incidents are taken into account. I doubt it'd see the inside of a court room.

The police are already involved as that video is on the Argus website with a serial number.

 

[symyjym]

Owning a small shop people who steal from me are lower than the scum of this earth. I call the police who may turn up, may not. I've caught kids and thrown them against a wall, expect to be charged one day. Caught three kids just about to steal and blow me two coppers walked by. I told the police whose response was 'well they haven't done anything wrong'. The police would not even talk to the kids who in turn thought it hilarious.

If throwing them against the wall doesn't work, I would suggest that next time you catch them you should tie them up in the shop basement for a few days. This normally works.

 

[symyjym]

The police are already involved as that video is on the Argus website with a serial number.

Not too sure if that makes any difference to Nibbles's comment which is referring to the original footage as an isolated incident, and was in reply to a post made yesterday before today’s update of a second one.