9:19am Friday 31st March 2006
By Kevin Burchall
A PENSIONER has warned Swindon's elderly population to be on their guard after he fell foul of a ruse by thieves.
Albert Stoneham, 81, of Whitbourne Avenue, Park North, was approached by two men as he walked to his car at the Granville Street car park at around 2.15pm on Tuesday.
The men told Mr Stoneham he had some paint on his jacket and offered to help him off with it so they could clean it. But after being handed back his jacket, Mr Stoneham realised the men had swiped a substantial amount of cash from his pocket.
"I had been to the bank to get some money and they must have been right behind me as I walked to my car," he said.
"I think they must have put some spray paint on my jacket while I wasn't looking and then they told me about the paint and offered to clean it off.
"They helped me clean it and the next thing I knew they were walking away. But as I started walking off to my car I put my hand in my pocket and realised all my money had gone.
"I couldn't believe at first that someone could target a pensioner like me and I want to make sure people are aware of what happened."
And Mr Stoneham, who is disabled, urged pensioners in the town to be vigilant, particularly when walking through the town centre on their own.
He said: "This won't stop me from going out. I'm not frightened after what happened.
"All I want to do is ask people to be more careful."
Police are appealing for witnesses or anyone who recognises the descriptions of the offenders to come forward.
PC Craig Rathbone, of Swindon police, said: "It beggars belief that anyone can betray the trust of the elderly and vulnerable members of the community.
"It is possible that someone recognises the men from the description, or remembers seeing them in the vicinity of the car park prior to the incident or after it.
"If so, we would like to speak to them. The victim was distressed by the incident."
One of the suspects is described as white, 5ft 10ins to 5ft 11ins tall, aged in his mid 30s, of medium build and with short dark brown hair.
He was wearing a brown coloured jacket and trousers, possibly a suit.
The second suspect was a white man with dark hair and similar clothing.
Witnesses or anyone with information is asked to contact PC Rathbone at Swindon Police on 0845 408 7000, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.
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