AN opportunist thief picked the wrong man when he pinched Steve Greenwood's till from the Inglenook Chip Shop in Ingleton.

For Steve is also a third dan karate instructor who took off after the cheeky thief, chasing him through Ingleton in his stocking feet.

The intruder struck at the fish shop in The Square just after 9pm on Saturday and made off through the town with the night's takings.

A resident spotted the suspect sprinting through the village and pointed Steve in the right direction.

Steve told the Herald: "It sounds like a comic strip now but I shouted to Andrew had he seen anyone running with a till and he said 'funny you should say that but he went that way'!

"He ran near the Mace store and the old library and in true karate fashion I shouted 'Oy' at him!

"He tried to scramble up a three foot garden wall then saw me and claimed to have got the money off two lads.

"He was obviously thinking on his feet and I took the till drawer off him.

"It was all there and I didn't want to make a big issue and he disappeared into the dark.

"I don't think he was a local," added Steve. " We get on great with the young people and they are great with us. He was just an opportunist."

The Greenwoods have been at the chip shop for 12 years now and have never had any trouble before.

Steve added: "We were just finishing and my wife, Glynis, had sorted out the cash in the till drawer.

"I heard a noise and came to the top of the stairs and realised the cash wasn't where it should have been.

"I was in my stocking feet but I saw a shadow downstairs.

"I couldn't see the till and realised somebody must have nicked it. I am not having my money pinched and I had to deal with it one way or another.

"I never thought about it. I am not having anyone take my money."

Steve says the intruder was wearing a dark American baseball- type bomber jacket and had dark curly hair and a pasty complexion. He was aged between 25 and 35.

Spokesman for North Yorkshire Police, Tony Lidgate, advised Herald readers not to follow in Steve's footsteps.

He said: "We wouldn't recommend anyone chases after an offender - not even a karate instructor.

"His skills would not have been so useful if the offender had had a pal with a gun.

"You just don't know what is going to happen.

"It really is best not to chase anyone into a dark alleyway but to inform the police."

Anyone who may have any information about the theft is asked to contact Ingleton police on 01756 793377, or ring the confidential Crimestoppers line on 0800 555111.