Sneak thief preys on elderly woman in Clydebank flats complex
Clydebank landmark – police have alerted the community to bogus callers after two incidents of money being stolen from elderly householders. Picture by Bill Heaney
By Lizzie Healey
Detectives are appealing for information following a bogus caller incident which occurred in the Clydebank area on Thursday 31 January 2019.
Between 3.30 and 3.40pm an 89-year-old woman was returning to her flat in Milton Mains Court and noticed a man carrying a clipboard, who she assumed was a workman, entering the common close behind her.
Her door went shortly afterwards and she opened it to find the same man standing there, claiming to be from the water board. He said there was a problem with her drains and he required access to her property.
She let him inside and whilst he distracted her in the kitchen, it is believed a younger man who was seen with the other man outside, entered her home and proceeded to ransack her bedroom before stealing a four figure sum of money from her purse.
The elderly victim realised what had happened after the man left and contacted the police.
The first suspect is described as being in his 40s, of stocky build and wearing a fawn coloured hat, light coloured clothing and work boots. He was also carrying a clipboard.
The second suspect is described as being a younger male.
Detective Sergeant Fiona Macarthur, of Clydebank CID, said: “This was a despicable crime which has left an elderly woman extremely upset and without a significant sum of money.
“It is absolutely vital that we trace these abhorrent individuals and I would appeal to anyone who noticed men matching the above descriptions loitering in the area, or even answered the door to one of them, to please get in touch.
“I would also urge people to be extra vigilant and ensure elderly relatives and neighbours are aware of the dangers of letting people into their homes without verifying their identity.
“Anyone with information is asked to contact Clydebank CID via 101, quoting incident number 4092 of Thursday 31 January 2019. Alternatively you can call CRIMESTOPPERS on 0800 555 111 where details can be given in confidence.”
In another similar incident on Tuesday, at around 12:45pm, a man went to the home of a 67-year-old man in Whin Street, Clydebank.
The man was able to gain access to the property on the pretence of carrying out gardening work. Once he was inside, he stole a four-figure sum of money before making off in an unknown direction.
The male suspect is white, in his 30s or 40s, around 5 ft. 9 in height, with a stocky build, brown hair and a full beard. At the time of the incident the man was wearing an orange high visibility jacket and high visibility trousers.
Detective Inspector Ogilvie Ross from Clydebank CID, said: “This sickening individual has preyed on a vulnerable man. This crime was reported to us on Tuesday but I believe the suspect may have been in the Clydebank area over the past week, knocking on doors, offering gardening services such as cutting hedges.
“There may be other people in the Clydebank area who have been approached by this man or who may have seen him and I would appeal to them to come forward to police.
“If you have had someone at your door recently that you were unsure of, or if a relative has informed you of an incident, we would like to hear from you.”
Police Scotland would like to remind anyone, and particularly older and more vulnerable members of our communities that if anyone comes to your door, always ask for identification. Always close and lock your door while you contact the company in order to check that they are genuine, before allowing anyone access to your home. If in doubt – contact the police. Always use a door chain to ensure they cannot gain entry.
Anyone with any information is asked to contact officers at Clydebank CID on 101 quoting incident number 1542 of 5 February. Alternatively, Crimestoppers can be contacted on 0800 555 111, where anonymity can be maintained.