Distraction burglar takes 84-year-old woman's money jar from west Hull home
A distraction burglar stole a jar of £10 and £20 notes from an 84-year-woman.
The thief knocked on the door of the victim's Vauxhall Grove home, in west Hull, offering trinkets for sale.
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He was invited inside and the woman bought three items, paying out of a jar of money.
The thief then left, but returned 10 minutes later, asking if he had left an ID card in the house.
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He went into the living room, at which point there was a knock on the door. The woman went to answer, leaving the man alone.
A short time later the woman noticed her money jar was missing. The jar contained a large sum of cash in £10 and £20 notes.
The suspect is described as a white man in his 30s or 40s, with thick, black, brushed-back hair. He spoke with a local accent and was wearing dark clothes and carrying a black holdall containing the items he was selling. He was carrying a small pink card for identification, although the woman was unable to read it.
Police would like to speak to anyone who saw the man in the area or who may have been approached by him at their door.
The burglary happened on Tuesday (December 4).
Detective Inspector Nicki Miller said: "This man has clearly targeted this lady because she is elderly and vulnerable and he has used this to his advantage.
"We would advise householders against allowing callers into their homes unless they know them or have an appointment.
"People should not feel under pressure to purchase goods or services from callers. If they do wish to buy something they should ask the seller to stay outside and lock the door while they go and get money.
"Doors should be kept locked at all times as a matter of routine to prevent sneak-in burglaries, particularly at this time of year when people have presents stored in their homes.
"We would urge people to keep an eye out for elderly neighbours in case they are targeted by unscrupulous thieves and report any suspicious activity to police."
Witnesses are asked to call 101, referring to log 363 of Tuesday, December 4. Or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Comments
by Redjin
Monday, December 10 2012, 3:00AM
“Whilst I do feel for the lady being robbed I cannot help but think that if people stopped buying items from ******s going door to door, they would not have a market.
We regularly get chav's knocking on the door, selling cheap meat, coffee and cheese they have just stolen from the supermarket at the top of the street.
Tell them to urinate off.”
by dascodave
Friday, December 07 2012, 3:10PM
“Until the cps starts dishing out propper sentances that the frustrated police force and the public would like to see happen they will always carry the tag of "CPS" (criminal protection service)..........”
by DeanHull
Friday, December 07 2012, 2:24PM
“@ Arthur Hunt: That is probably the greatest comment I have ever read on these pages.”
by dascodave
Friday, December 07 2012, 1:18PM
“I agree with all on here but for me to come on here and say "they are vile people" or "they deserve public flogging" will not matter in any form to the theifs who prey on the decent and vunreble in our community.The 'human rights' do gooders and politicians and liberal-leftie middle class morons who ultimately need the public flogging for letting this go on when clearly the thoughts and sentements of the public who are at the *********** end of the stick dont have a voice..................GIVE US BACK OUR COMMUNITY'S and give us the say on propper punishments for these dregs that infest our lives...”
by LittleSquishy
Friday, December 07 2012, 11:25AM
“@Phil_melton - "Not a smart move keeping your cash in a jar on show??"
Whilst I appreciate what you're saying, that isn't really the problem. This lady should be able to store her money in any which way she likes within the confines of her own home and it be perfectly safe. I don't think it's fair to suggest that had she not used a see-through jar it might not have happened. I reckon he still would have come back if it was in a purse.
I hate that I have to lock myself in my own home and hide my own posessions around the house when I go out. I even take my car keys and purse into my bedroom at night. I shouldn't have to do it & it isnt nice to not feel safe in your own home.”
by ArthurHunt
Thursday, December 06 2012, 10:18PM
“Old people come from the 'decent generation' when you could trust people and there was some sort of law enforcement and proper punishment to act as a deterrent. We found a newspaper cutting from 1963 where a bloke had been jailed for a year for stealing a bike - that's how it should be.
These days it's all 'human rights', the establishment is full of do-gooders in non-jobs tripping over themselves to repeat phrases from their sociology textbooks, always finding excuses for low life scum, these middle class morons have no experience of life and certainly no backbone.
I am in full agreement with you all, and if the politicians keep saying we live in a democracy - OK then prove it - let the people vote about bringing back the birch - but oh no the liberal do-gooders have stitched us all up and got the top jobs everywhere. It's the new management culture - liberal-leftie twaddle, happy clappy land... where everything's become an academic exercise. Old lady robbed? Oooh lets get some more statistics... lots of activity which achieves nothing.
What scum deserve is a good hiding. What decent people deserve is protection from scum. Let's have it!”
by mavericka
Thursday, December 06 2012, 8:58PM
“another low life scum of the earth, should be whipped in public”
by Demonica666
Thursday, December 06 2012, 6:58PM
“This poor lady. She was probably lonely and thought she was helping a charity. I have no words to describe what I think of the piece of rotting faecal matter that did this, but I sincerely wish him a long and agonising demise.”
by steveclem
Thursday, December 06 2012, 6:00PM
“Scumbags!!!!!”
by Phil_melton
Thursday, December 06 2012, 5:01PM
“Not a smart move keeping your cash in a jar on show?? although i feel sorry for this women. and hope they get caught she should have not invite anyone in worst thing you can do.”