Police are appealing for people to be vigilant after an elderly woman’s purse was stolen in Harrogate.
The victim had been shopping in the town centre on Monday 1 June 2015. When she returned to her car on Cheltenham Parade at around 4.40pm, she put her handbag on the passenger seat as she got ready to drive home.
As she was about to set off a man appeared at the passenger-side window and opened the door. He opened a large map of Yorkshire, which he spread out across the seat and asked the victim for directions to Leeds.
She spent a couple of minutes trying to help the man before he suddenly took the map away and closed the door, only to reopen it and kiss her on the hand.
After the man had left, the victim noticed her purse had been taken from her handbag. Before she has managed to cancel her cards £900 had been spent on them.
Officers believe that the suspect is from outside the North Yorkshire Police area, as the victim’s cards were used at Pool Garage and Asda in Pudsey, Leeds.
The police have released an image of a man they would like to speak to in connection with the incident and are urging anyone who recognises him to come forward.
He is described as white, in his late 20s or early 30s, 5ft 8 – 5ft 10in tall, with an average build, and short black hair. He was wearing smart, casual clothes and spoke with a foreign accent.
Anyone who can help officers with their enquiries or has been approached in similar circumstances is urged to contact North Yorkshire Police on 101 – select option 2 – and ask for PC Amanda Hanusch-Moore or Harrogate police.
If you prefer not to give your name, Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Please quote reference number 12150090980 when passing information about this incident.
