CCTV image release after trickster steals from blind man (From Your Local Guardian)

CCTV image release after trickster steals from blind man

4:41pm Wednesday 13th August 2008

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(0)

Police have released a CCTV image of a woman wanted in connection with the theft of hundreds of pounds from a blind man inside a Kingston bank.

The 75-year-old, who is registered blind and has very hazy sight, had just drawn out £20 from a cash machine inside Lloyds TSB in Clarence Street, Kingston on Saturday July 12 at around 11.30am when he was approached by woman.

The trickster pointed at the floor, picking up some coins and put them in his wallet, pretending he had dropped them.

She then walked with the man out of the bank before turning back inside to commit her crime.

Moments later he realised his cashcard was missing and when he went back into the bank it had been handed in, but it had already been used to take £480 out of his account.

The man, who was on his way to have a coffee in Fife Road with his wife, described the woman as non-English speaking, although he admits that could be a ruse, and Mediterranean or Eastern European sounding.

Bank staff told the man that he was not the first to be caught out by a similar trick but were hopeful the CCTV inside the bank would identify the culprit.

But the victim later said he was disappointed with the "bureaucracy" surrounding the release of the image with police and the bank's security staff blamed each other for the length of time it took to release the woman's picture to the public.

If you have information about the person in the image call Kingston police on 020 7230 1212 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(0)