Conman strikes three times in two days

Three elderly people fell victim to a conman last week and two them had sums of cash stolen from their homes.

He first struck last Monday afternoon (13 October), telling his victim, an 85-year old woman living on Caesar Street in Kirkholt, that there had been an explosion at a house nearby and that her water had to be turned off. While she was distracted in the kitchen the man searched her house and stole a sum of cash before leaving.

The next day, at about 3pm a man walked into a bed-sit in Crowther Court, Littleborough. He was smartly dressed and told the 92-year-old woman he was from 'CID' before searching the bed-sit. The offender did not find anything and walked calmly out of the door.

Between 5.15pm and 5.25pm later that day, a man rang the doorbell of a house on Sheriff Street, Milnrow. The 91-year-old victim answered her door and the man told her he was a friend of the family.

The woman did not believe him but he then asked for a drink, which she went to get for him.

While she was distracted in the kitchen he stole her purse and walked out of the door.

The man is described as white, of a medium build, around 5ft 6ins to 5ft 7ins with dark hair.

In the first incident he was wearing a dirty, dark grey long-sleeved sweatshirt, grey tracksuit bottoms and long gardening gloves.

Detective Constable Sam Halligan of Rochdale CID said: "This man has targeted three elderly people in two days, distracting them and then stealing from them.

"This disgraceful behaviour needs to be stopped and I am urging anyone who may have information about these crimes to speak to us.

"If you noticed anything unusual in the areas close to these crimes or if you recognise the description of the offender, please get in touch."

Anyone with information is asked to contact Rochdale CID on 0161 856 4644 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.