Knife-point robber found hiding in a nearby attic

A knife-point robber from Cardiff was arrested within two hours of robbing his local supermarket.

Thanks to the bravery of a customer who recorded the whole incident on her phone, officers identified the suspect straight away and knew where he lived.

They found him hiding in an attic – a few minutes walk away from the Lidl store he just robbed – still in possession of some of the cash he stole and 1.6g of crack cocaine, which officers suspect he bought with his loot.

Leon Carpin, 34, from Pontprennau, entered the Lidl store in Caxton place, Pentwyn, at lunchtime on Saturday, November 9, with his face partially covered by a scarf.

Staff were watching him closely as he was behaving erratically in the shop which was packed with customers.

Minutes later, he whispered ‘open the till’ into a shop worker’s ear while brandishing a knife.

Watch this clip below, as a brave, quick thinking customer who is stood just yards away began to film his every move.

You will see that Carpin repeatedly asks the checkout assistant to open the till. He is warned the police have been called and he frantically presses buttons to open the till himself.

Eventually the till is opened for him and the robber makes off with approximately £250.

His arrest in the attic of a nearby house is captured by a police body worn camera.

Leon Carpin, 34, of Clos Y Fynnon, Cardiff was charged with robbery, possessing a knife in a public place and possessing crack cocaine.

He went on to plead guilty to all charges and on February 28 he was jailed for five years and six months at Cardiff Crown Court.