Man (65) robbed of £10,000 cash in Totton Asda car park

A MASKED thief snatched a bag containing £10,000 in cash from a car as the victim sat in the driving seat.

Herbie Street (65) had withdrawn the sum to pay for building work at his home and, after visiting Lloyds bank in Commercial Road, Totton, drove to the nearby Asda where he spent a few minutes before returning to his vehicle.

He told the A&T: “I had the money in a Sainsbury’s bag which I put on the back seat along with the shopping.

"I got into the driver’s seat when suddenly this man opened the back door, said, ‘Sorry’, grabbed the Sainsbury's bag and ran off.”

He believed the thief had followed him from the bank when he visited at around 10am on 21st August.

Mr Street said: “There was only one teller on, and she took ages to count out the money aloud. Two, or three people came into the bank while I was there, and they could all hear her counting it out.

“Then they saw it put in two envelopes which I then put into the bag. I believe the thief was in the bank and followed me to Asda.

"It was a completely opportunistic crime – not even my wife knew I was going to take out the money that day.”

He said he has been left “shaken and terribly upset”, saying: “I keep looking over my shoulder seeing who is about. It has really affected me. I am actually scared.”

Mr Street said friends and family have rallied round to raise the cash to help him pay for an extension to help his wife who struggle to get up the stairs.

CCTV at a nearby petrol station picked up the thief making his getaway on foot from the car park off Maynard Road.

Mr Street said: “It is not very clear, but the police told me he is wearing gloves and a mask which will make it difficult to identify him.

"But the image was posted on social media, and someone pointed out that he seemed to have a tattoo on one of his legs so I am hoping that might help.”

Hampshire police is now appealing for witnesses to the crime. In a statement they said: “At this time, we are following up on further lines of enquiry in order to identify the person responsible.

"However we are keen to hear from anyone how may have witnessed this incident or anyone who has any information who can help.

“Were you in the area at the time? Did you see anyone acting suspiciously or perhaps you witnessed the incident?"

Anyone with information can call 101, quoting 44210288105.