Wheelchair-bound pensioner targeted by 'despicable' trickster
A wheelchair-bound pensioner was targeted by a thief who followed him home from a Post Office and tricked his way into his house.
The victim, aged in his 60s, had cash stolen from a wallet left in his lounge in Church Street, Tipton, by an unknown offender, who police are urgently trying to trace.
Officers investigating the theft have called the incident a ‘despicable crime’ and said that the pensioner was an ‘easy target’.
West Midlands Police has now released CCTV images of a man who they would like to speak to in connection with the incident.
It is believed that the suspect followed the man home – initially picking up an object for the pensioner, which he had dropped on the floor.
After returning home the man went to put his bins out, at which point the suspect approached him and asked if he could fill a bottle of water for him, telling the pensioner to wait outside while he did so.
But the pensioner saw the man had gone into his lounge. He asked the man to leave and then noticed that his wallet and mobile had been moved from where he had left them.
Sandwell Pc Dan Cartwright said: “Prior to the burglary, the man had been in the Post Office on Tividale Road, Tividale.
“He dropped something onto the floor, and a man picked it up for him.
“The elderly man then went home to put his bins out, and was followed by the man from the Post Office.
“The gentleman told the man to leave, and after he had gone saw that cash had been taken from his wallet.
“This is a despicable crime against someone who has clearly been thought of as an ‘easy target’ and the gentleman has said he feels he may have been targeted due to his disability.”
Community leaders have urged the public to help police catch the suspect.
Oldbury councillor Suzanne Hartwell said: “This is absolutely despicable. It really gets my blood boiling. My thoughts are exactly the same as the police.
“I am asking the community to show their support. This person, whoever did it, needs to have the book thrown at them.”
The incident happened on May 4 between noon and 1pm.
Anyone who can help police, is urged to call Pc Cartwright by dialling 101 and then extension 811 3083, quoting the crime number 20SW/92847A/17. Or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
