Story By: Lee Bullen, Sub-Editor: Marija Stojkoska,  Agency: Newsflash

This is the moment an armed thief gives back a laptop to his victim during a street robbery but promptly returns it to him when the man lowers his face mask and the pair realise they know each other.

The ‘street hugging’ incident was filmed in San Juan de Giron in the city of Bucaramanga in the northern Colombian department of Santander.

The bizarre robbery attempt has been confirmed by the Bucaramanga Metropolitan Police who are trying to identify the men involved.

In the CCTV footage, two men on a motorbike pull up on the street and target a young man sitting in a chair outside a shop who is using his phone.

The thief in the red jacket confronts the man and apparently threatens him with a weapon under his jacket, forcing the victim to rummage through his bag.

The thief seemingly takes the victim’s phone and what is later seen to be a laptop from the bag.

After being robbed, the victim sits back down and then recognises the thief through his motorbike helmet. The young man lowers his face mask to show the mugger who he is.

The embarrassed thief appears to apologise and immediately returns the laptop to the victim and the pair smile and share a tender hug.

The robber then points out the victim’s identity to his accomplice on the getaway motorbike and they also share a hug in the street.

The thief then apparent returns the man’s mobile phone and they shake hands and go about their separate ways.