£3,000 stolen from woman following Tesco car-park scam, CCTV issued: Redditch
(B98 - Thursday, 2 February, 2012)

Police investigating a distraction theft in Redditch have released a CCTV image of a woman they want to trace.

It happened between 11am and 11.45am on Monday 16th January at Tesco, Coldfield Drive.

The victim, who is in her 50s, was putting her shopping in her car when she was approached by a woman who asked her for directions and showed her a map.

While she was distracted her purse and two bank cards were stolen from her handbag on the passenger seat, and she later discovered £3,000 had been stolen from her account via transactions and cash machine withdrawals in the Redditch area.

Police believe she had been targeted in the store and followed to the till, where the offenders watched her putting in her PIN number.

The suspect is described as:

• a white female
• aged 25
• small to medium build
• black bobbed hair
• smart appearance
• wearing a hat and beige coat
• spoke with an Eastern European accent

Anyone who recognises the image or has any further information is asked to contact PC Vikki Loftus on 0300 333 3000.

Alternatively call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

Police Force: West Mercia

Address:
Tesco
Coldfield Drive
Oakenshaw
Redditch
WORCESTERSHIRE
B98