A pickpocketing hypnotist rendered a shopkeeper motionless before raiding his pockets in a London bottle shop.
In stunning CCTV footage released by the Metropolitan Police, the robber is shown entering the store and striking up a conversation with the owner.
Police say the man told the owner, who London's Telegraph named as Aftab Haider, that he needed a bottle of water for his pregnant wife and touched him on the stomach.
The 56-year-old then remains motionless as the thief steals cash from his pockets.
The pickpocket then squeezes Mr Haider on the shoulder and spins him around before taking a second dive into the man's pockets to steal more cash.
Mr Haider is seen finally snapping out of the trance just as the thief runs from the store.
Police are investigating the robbery, which took place on September 11.
"The victim in this incident said that he was momentarily unaware of what had happened to him," Detective Sergeant Dave Bullock said.
"The suspect's distraction tactics appeared to have worked as he robbed the victim of cash from his pocket."
