ATM thief was ‘hungry’

A man who tried to snatch cash from a person at an ATM has told police he was hungry and had no money.

Isaiah Sheldon Mccaughan, 25, pulled a bandanna over his face and ran up to the machine outside Westpac on Queen St, in central Blenheim, about 2.30pm on Thursday.

A man had just taken $500 cash out of the ATM, when Mccaughan tried to grab the cash out of his hands, a police summary of facts said.

But the man kept hold of the cash, and told Mccaughan to ‘‘go away’’, the police summary said.

So Mccaughan turned and ran away, down Arthur St.

He was found by a police dog minutes later hiding in a bush on

Henry St, about two blocks away, and arrested.

Mccaughan was a Sydney resident, who had travelled to New

Zealand for a visit, the police summary said.

He told police he tried to take the cash because he was hungry and had no money.

It was unfair his friends refused to give him money, he said.

Mccaughan admitted a charge of theft at the Blenheim District Court yesterday.

His lawyer Josh Smith said Mccaughan was struggling with financial difficulties and mental health issues which led to the decision to grab the cash.

Judge Ian Mill said he would refer the case to restorative justice, where Mccaughan could meet with the man and try to make amends, if the man was willing to participate.

Initially Mccaughan’s bail conditions prevented him from entering the central business district, but his doctor was in town.

So Judge Mill remanded Mccaughan on bail to December 9 for sentencing, with bail conditions preventing him from consuming alcohol.