Crawley armed robber jailed after being caught on camera
Michael Hooper will spend more than three years in jail
A man who committed two robberies in Crawley, including one where he threatened shop staff with two Stanley knives, has been jailed.
Michael Hooper has been handed a 44-month sentence for two incidents committed in April and May last year, both of which were captured on CCTV.
The 43-year-old, of Leopold Road in the town, first approached an elderly man at a cash point at Sainsbury’s in Crawley Avenue in West Green, on April 10th last year and asked him for some money.
When the man refused, Hooper pushed him and snatched the cash from his hand, before running from the scene.
During the second incident on May 22nd, he entered a newsagents in Ifield Road in West Green, and attempted to purchase a bottle of whisky.
After his card was declined, he walked towards the till area but was challenged by staff. He then reached over the counter and took a 70cl bottle without paying for it and ran out of the shop.
He returned just over an hour later, this time in possession of two Stanley knives, which he brandished towards staff behind the counter.
Fearing for their safety, the staff activated the security alarm. In the meantime, Hooper again reached across the counter and this time stole two further 70cl bottles of whisky before leaving the store.
Hooper pleaded guilty to burglary, two counts of robbery and two counts of possession of a knife in public.
He was sentenced at Lewes Crown Court on February 24th.
Inspector Steve Turner, of Sussex Police's Crawley Neighbourhood Policing Team, said:
"While Hooper fully admitted the offences in police interview, it does not lessen the impact on the victims, who understandably feared for their own safety.
"Thankfully we were able to quickly identify him from the CCTV footage, and this demonstrates the value of our officers regularly patrolling the town and being able to recognise people of interest.
"We continue to work with partners and the community to provide education around the dangers of knife crime, and to prevent, detect and respond to any incidents. This case should serve as a reminder that we absolutely will not tolerate knife crime, and anyone caught in possession of a knife in public can expect to be dealt with robustly."