Police in Swansea are appealing for information following a distraction type burglary, in the Penderry Road area of Penlan.
At about 3.20pm on Wednesday 17th November, the suspect called at the home of the 79 year old female victim, purporting to be from the council and claimed he needed to check the house for renovations.
He later went upstairs and checked the bedrooms, whilst the elderly lady followed him using the chair lift, as she reached to top of the stairs; the suspect passed her going down the stairs.
On her return back down stairs the suspect was in the living room where she kept her handbag and purse. The suspect left a short time later and it was when the victim checked her handbag and discovered that a large sum of money which was contained in a small plastic bag was missing.
The suspect is described as male white, possibly 30 to 40 years of age, 5’6 to 5’8 tall, medium build, dark hair, spoke with a foreign sounding accent, wearing a dark coloured woolly hat, white shirt with a white tee shirt underneath with black writing on, and black trousers.
Acting Detective Inspector Justin Evans of Morriston CID said “The action of this man can only be described as despicable and cowardly in targeting an elderly and vulnerable lady in her own home”
“This lady had been saving this money over a period of time in order to buy a washing machine and to have the money stolen in such a callous way has been devastating to her”
“I am appealing to anybody who was in the area of Pendery Road at the relevant time and saw this man or can help us in identifying him to come forward”
Mr Evans further added “In order to provide reassurance to other elderly and vulnerable residents in the area who will undoubtedly be concerned, patrols will be stepped up”
Anyone with information should contact Morriston CID on 01792 614350 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111
