Hypnotist thief robs shopkeeper after appearing to put him in a trance

A shopkeeper was robbed of hundreds of pounds by a 'hypnotist' pickpocket who apparently put him in a trance.

The thief walked into an off-licence in north London and touched the owner on the arm. A few seconds later the shopkeeper seems to freeze.

CCTV footage shows the suspect talking to the shopkeeper as he rifles his pockets twice, stealing the day's takings.

Throughout the robbery, the thief appears to use a combination of speech and touching to keep his victim under his spell.

As the suspect walks out, the shopkeeper emerges from the trance and is heard to say:

The bizarre robbery at wine merchant Hops and Pops in Highgate took just 50 seconds.

Police have described the suspect as 30-35 years old, of Eastern European appearance.