Hunt for blue-suited bogus burglar

Police have issued an evofit of a blue-suited bogus official burglar who has been targeting elderly victims across Manchester

Police have issued an evofit of a blue-suited bogus official burglar who has been targeting elderly victims across Manchester.

The man pictured, who usually carries a clipboard, is part of a two-man scam that cons cash out of vulnerable pensioners. It is believed the pair have been using a similar tactic to target at least three addresses in Woodhouse Park and Northenden.

However, it is believed the pair could also be linked to a series of unsolved bogus official burglaries across Trafford, Salford, Rochdale, Bury, Stockport, and Tameside between 23 June and 3 July this year.

In most cases the first man, who usually carries a clipboard, knocks on the victim’s door claiming to work for the water company at neighbouring houses.

He tells then he needs to get to the kitchen to check the taps and, while the victim is with him, his accomplice sneaks into the house and steals property, usually cash.

In the first incident the burglars approached a 76-year-old woman, who suffers from Alzheimers, living on Bagnall Walk, Northenden, and stole cash.

Later that same day, 3 July 2012, an 84-year-old woman living on Hilary Road, Woodhouse Park, was also approached. A neighbour intervened and the pair walked off.

Finally, at around 1.30pm on 11 July 2012, the pair targeted an 89-year-old blind woman living on Greenway, Northenden, and again stole cash.

The first offender is described as in his 40's, white with tanned skin, and has short, very dark, slicked back black hair. He is about 5ft 9in tall and wears a navy blue suit sometimes with/without glasses and carrying a clipboard. He is usually in company with a shorter white man with a stocky build, in his late 30s, with casual dress and often wears a baseball cap.

PC Gareth Beasley, based at Wythenshawe, said: “I want everyone to take a good look at the evofit of this suspect because I am confident that someone can tell me exactly who he is.

“This is the type of crime that disgusts even hardened criminals. Imagine what it would be like if it was your grandma or nana who was duped in this way.

“We are confident these two men have deliberately targeted vulnerable elderly people in the one place they should feel safest. Also, because of the tactics used by this pair I believe they may have also struck across other areas of Greater Manchester. One of them almost always wears a blue suit and carries a clipboard so is easily recognisable.

“Of course, I need to also people to take simple precautions - always ask for ID, do not invite unsolicited workmen into your home and , if in any doubt, do not open your door.”

Anyone with information is asked to call police in Wythenshawe on 0161 856 4884 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.