[A] MAN caught on camera as he used a drill to try and steal money from a Lake District cash machine has been jailed for two years.
Robert Zimmer, a 42-year-old Hungarian national, was convicted of four crimes by a jury in his absence at Carlisle Crown Court today (WED).
Zimmer was caught on CCTV as he and a partner-in-crime approached the ATM outside Ambleside’s Tesco Express, Market Place, on May 1 last year. A small hole was drilled in the cashpoint before the pair walked away.
A week later, on May 8, after the ATM had been repaired, Zimmer was again captured on camera as he returned with what is thought to have been a different accomplice and committed similar damage.
He was arrested four days later in Keswick and faced four charges but failed to attend his trial. A police community support officer told jurors she recognised Zimmer after he was detained from images circulated during the investigation.
Zimmer, whose address was given as Wallace Circus, Dagenham, was convicted of two counts of attempted theft and two of damaging property.
He was sentenced in his absence to two years in prison by Recorder Neville Biddle, who spoke of an “unusual” case.
“Whether we see him again is only a matter of speculation,” Recorder Biddle said to jurors. “This was clearly professional and organised offending.”
A spokesman for Cumbria Police said: “Cumbria Police appeal for anyone with information about Zimmer, or anyone who sees him, to get in touch via 101 and ask to speak to South CID. Alternatively call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”
