OAP robbed at Post Office
believe someone may have been watching her when she was inside the shop.
As she left she was approached by three individuals – two males and a female who claimed she was pregnant – who produced a map and asked her for directions.
As she was helping them, it is believed one of the suspects reached into her bag and stole her purse and its contents which included the £200.
An additional sum of £100 was then withdrawn from the woman’s bank account.
The victim, unaware she had been robbed, got into her car and drove the short distance to the nearby Lidl store on Weaver Row.
Once she had collected her items, she went to the till to pay and noticed her purse was missing. At this point the police were called.
Officers say that the woman, who claimed to be pregnant, was aged between 21 and 40, 5ft 3in tall and of slim build. She had collar-length blonde hair.
The first male suspect is said to be 5ft 10in tall and of slim build, while the other man was said to be 5ft 2in and of heavy build.
All three spoke with what has been described as “foreign” accents and are not believed to be from the area.
Stirling Inspector Donna Bryans told the Observer: “This is a particularly horrible crime in which a vulnerable elderly lady has been targeted.
“We would just encourage people to be extra careful with their belongings when they are out and about, and ask people working in banks, shops and post offices to look out for anyone acting suspiciously within their premises.”
Forth Valley crime prevention officer, PC Bryan MacKie, said:added: “At this time of year, people are prone to carrying larger sums of money than they normally might. Thieves know this and have no problems taking advantage of it.
“It’s particularly important to be cautious when you’re using bank machines, as we know that can be how a would-be thief might identify a potential target.
“When you’re taking out money from a cashpoint, make sure you shield the key pad to avoid anyone seeing your PIN.
“It’s also smart to put your money and card away discreetly before leaving the machine, so people can’t see how much you’ve withdrawn.
“Most importantly, be aware of your surroundings and if you think someone is hanging around a cash machine and acting suspiciously call us on 101.”
Inspector Bryans said that yesterday (Tuesday) a series of safety messages were being put out to Post Office branches urging staff to be vigilant in the wake of this incident.
Anyone who witnessed this theft, or who has any information which could assist officers, should contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
The Observer reported last month that police were scouring CCTV images after a Riverside woman’s purse was stolen from her bag as she shopped.
Josie McMahon (54) was calling on officers to act and arrest those who stole her belongings as she shopped in Primark at the Thistles Centre on Saturday, November 11.