Thief steals pensioner’s purse while back turned
AN 85-YEAR-OLD woman was left distressed after a thief stole her pull-along trolley, complete with purse, cash and bank cards, while she was out shopping.
The elderly victim was targeted inside Morrisons in Blyth at around 2.30pm on March 27.
The pensioner was seen leaning down to reach for some fruit and, while her back was turned, a woman walked by and grabbed hold of the trolley.
The woman is described as in her 50s or 60s with greying brown cropped hair. She was wearing a khaki jacket, grey jogging bottoms and was pushing a pram with a toddler when she entered the shop but exited the shop alone.
It is believed she was also in the company of two much younger females, who entered the shop shortly after her.
The distraught pensioner was comforted by supermarket staff who rang police and provided store CCTV. The trolley was later found outside but had been stripped of all valuables.
Later that day, the stolen cards were used by a different much younger female at the Premier store off Waterloo Road, Blyth.
She was able to buy scratch cards and cigarettes but when she tried to buy more, the card was declined.
Investigating, Detective Constable Paul Kelly of Northumbria Police said: “To steal from anyone is unacceptable but to prey on an elderly woman while her back is turned is absolutely disgusting.
“With so little opportunity for outside contact, a trip to the shops is as normal as it gets for most people and this thief has not only robbed a vulnerable pensioner of her belongings but of her independence and sense of safety.”
He added: “During the past week we have ran extensive checks in an effort to ID this woman but have so far been unable to identify her.”
Anyone with any information is asked to contact officers by phone on 101 or online using the ‘Tell Us Something’ feature of the website, quoting log 670 270321.