Thief chased down by Good Samaritan after cash stolen at Asda ATM

The theft which took place outside Asda on Kirkland Street, St Helens last week on Tuesday night, January 26.

It was reported that at around 9pm a man in his 80s was withdrawing cash from the cash machine outside Asda when a man approached him and took the money from the machine, before making off on foot.

A member of the public then pursued the offender and managed to return some of the money to the victim.

A short time later, in the early hours of Wednesday, January 27, it was reported that an offender fitting the description of the ATM thief had forced entry to Chipmunk chip shop on Boundary Road, before making off with a quantity of cash.

The theft happened outside Asda

Police have confirmed that 38-year-old Dean Kermode has been recalled to prison following the two incidents last week.

Following enquiries, Kermode, 38, of no fixed address, was arrested and charged with theft and burglary, and recalled to prison on Monday (February 1) after pleading guilty.

He was sentenced to 20 weeks in prison and ordered to pay compensation to the victim.

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Inspector Jim Wilde said: “To target someone in this way, particularly an elderly victim, is completely heartless, and to be the victim of a theft of burglary can leave a lasting impact.

“Kermode had only been released from prison a short time before these two incidents last week, and, thankfully, has now rightly been recalled.

“I would like to thank those involved in bringing Kermode to justice and also to the good Samaritan, who stepped in to assist, putting himself at risk, when he saw someone in need.”

• Anyone who has been the victim of theft or burglary, can contact @MerPolCC , 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously on 0800 555 111. Always call 999 in an emergency. More information and advice on crime prevention can be found at merseyside.police.uk/cp/crime-prevention/