Western Australia Police are calling for help from the public after video footage captured a heartless thief stealing from an elderly woman last week.
On February 21, a woman was spotted stealing from the 98-year-old at a supermarket in the suburb of Fremantle, grabbing her purse straight out of her trolley.
In CCTV footage obtained by the police, the culprit can be seen lurking by the woman’s trolley waiting for the perfect moment to take her belongings. Just as the elderly woman turned to grab an item, the thief quickly took the purse and dashed away. As she was leaving the supermarket she handed the purse to a male accomplice.
“Around 12.30pm on Thursday 21 February 2019, a 98-year-old woman was shopping in a supermarket on Cantonment Street Fremantle when she lent away from her trolley to remove an item from a shelf in the fridge section,” Western Australia Police Force said in a statement.
“At the exact moment, a woman reached into the lady’s trolley and removed a purse out of the handbag. As the woman left the store, the purse was handed to the man.”
On Wednesday evening the police shared the shocking footage on Facebook, asking anyone with information about the culprits to come forward.
The woman has s medium build with wavy dark hair. She was wearing a white t-shirt, light coloured long pants and wearing a hat at the time of the crime.
The man was described as medium build and dark short hair. He was wearing a blue t-shirt with white writing on the front and carrying a green bag.
Anyone with information about the identity of the two or details about the offence are urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or report online at www.crimestopperswa.com.au.
Sadly this wasn’t the first time an elderly person has become a victim of a brazen theft. Earlier this year police sent an urgent warning to Australians to be cautious when using ATMs after an 80-year-old woman was targeted using a machine in Melbourne in December.
Let's find this jerk before 2018 is out.
He robbed an 80-year-old woman at a Toorak ATM last week + hasn't yet been caught.
More detail: https://t.co/s35d1kGMa2 pic.twitter.com/cjd2e95j5X
— 3AW Melbourne (@3AW693) December 30, 2018
Read more: Video catches sickening thief targeting unsuspecting ATM customer
Victoria Police released a statement explaining they were on the hunt for an unidentified man after he brazenly snatched the cash out of the hands of the lady who had just used an ATM in the Melbourne suburb of Toorak.
The incident took place on Christmas Eve, with footage showing the man talking on a mobile phone as the woman withdrew cash from the machine. He could be seen standing behind the woman, only to run up and take the cash from her hand. Then man then fled the scene by foot.