Police allege a Valentine’s Day robber was trying to flee with a woman’s cash when a Good Samaritan thwarted his attempt to escape at escalators in the Gungahlin Marketplace.
A woman was trying to deposit a sum of cash into an ATM at a bank in the Marketplace around 1:35 pm on Wednesday (14 February) when a man allegedly snatched the money from her and ran.
However, this man was allegedly filmed on closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage being stopped by a member of the public before the woman caught up with him and took back her money. The alleged robber then fled the area.
Police viewed the CCTV and subsequently arrested a 54-year-old from Moncrieff in Lyneham that night.
This man was charged with robbery, preventing the carrying out of a forensic procedure and two counts of possessing a knife without a reasonable excuse.
He was scheduled to face the ACT Magistrates Court on Thursday (15 February).
“Police would like to speak to the woman who intervened to prevent the man from fleeing the scene of the alleged incident, as well as any other witnesses who have not yet spoken to police,” an ACT Policing spokesperson said.
Anyone with any information that could assist police can contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or via the Crime Stoppers ACT website. Quote reference 7673909.
Original Article published by Albert McKnight on Riotact.