A pickpocket who apparently hypnotised his victim is being hunted by police.
The thief took cash from a shopkeeper in north London while his victim "remained motionless and unable to resist the robbery taking place", Scotland Yard said.
Police have released CCTV footage of the crime showing the thief, who claimed his wife was pregnant and needed water, in action.
Detective sergeant Dave Bullock said: “The victim in this incident said that he was momentarily unaware of what had happened to him.
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“The suspect’s distraction tactics appeared to have worked as he robbed the victim of cash from his pocket.”
PA