Thieves steal woman's Money And Spend £21k on cars, clothes and food

Thieves who used 'distraction techniques' to steal an elderly woman's bank card spent £21,000 - her life savings - on cars, clothes, and fast food.

Officers from Wandsworth Borough investigating the incident have issued CCTV footage of two men and a woman they wish to identify and speak to.

The theft is believed to have occurred at some point between 10:38am and 12:20pm on Thursday, March 17, while the victim was out shopping.

It was reported the day after when police when the lady realised it was missing outside a Waitrose store on Balham High Road, according to a statement.

Met Police

'Suspect 1' is described a white woman in her 40s

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: "As the 86-year-old widow was shopping in the store, two men and a woman watched her as she paid for her shopping.

"One of the suspects saw her enter her PIN code and recorded the numbers on his mobile phone.

"Once outside the store, another of the suspects distracted the victim stating he spoke little English and pretended to be lost with a map, as another stole her bank card from her pocket.

Met Police

It is believed that £21,000 was stolen from the elderly woman

"The card was then used to withdraw cash, buy clothing, visit a fast food restaurant and purchase six second-hand cars.

"The money was the victim's life savings that she was keeping for her grandchildren. The theft has also had a significant impact on the victim, leading her to change her usual routine. She is also afraid to get her bank card out anywhere in public."

Met Police

'Suspect 3' is described as a medium built Asian man in his late 30s

The suspects captured by the CCTV being released by officers are described as:

'Suspect 1' [ref: 216261] is described as a white woman, aged in her 40s. She was wearing glasses, a black and white head scarf, a dark coat over a white blouse, dark leggings and black boots. She was also carrying a large brown bag.

Met Police

The woman's PIN was recorded as she paid at the till

'Suspect 2' [ref: 216262] is described as a slim built Asian man, aged in his 20s. He was wearing a dark hooded top with a fur hood liner, dark jeans and white trainers.

'Suspect 3' [ref: 216264] is described as a medium built Asian man, aged in his late 30s. He was wearing a dark hooded top with a light blue liner and white zipped front, dark jeans and white trainers.

saurce: Mirror