THIS is the moment a robber used bizarre dance moves to distract a victim while he stole his mobile phone.
Police are now warning the public to “be vigilant” after the brazen street raid in Nottingham.
The footage shows the thief approaching his target while pretending to be drunk.
He greets him with a fist bump before busting out the unusual moves – placing his leg between the victim’s limbs and jumping up and down.
The suspect then removed the man’s phone from his pocket before hiding it behind his back and making his escape.
Nottinghamshire Police are now urging anyone who can identify the man to get in touch with the force.
Inspector Paul Gummer, of the city centre neighbourhood policing team, said: “Officers were able to trace the offender’s prior movement to a McDonald’s.
“We therefore examined CCTV from the nearby branch and were able to obtain a clear image of the person responsible for this distraction theft.
“If you know who he is, please get in touch with us.
“He does not appear to be intoxicated on the McDonald’s CCTV just minutes before the theft but gave that impression when he was with the victim.
“We therefore believe he pretended to be intoxicated as part of a ploy to trick the victim into thinking he posed no threat and was being jovial.”
The officer explained similar distraction thefts have taken place in the past across the country.
Inspector Gummer said some thieves claim their moves are a “traditional cultural dance from their country”.
He added: “To be clear – it is absolutely not a cultural dance – it’s a cynical attempt to distract attention away from the victim’s pockets, where the pick pocketing is happening.
“I would therefore encourage the public to be vigilant against this brazen crime, avoid it happening to you and watch out for it happening to anyone else, particularly those who may be ‘slightly too merry’ to recognise what’s happening to them during this festive period.”
Anyone who recognises the man is being asked to call police on 101 quoting crime number 25000672372.
