'Despicable confidence trick' in Hastings theft (From The Argus)
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'Despicable confidence trick' in Hastings theft
5:20pm Wednesday 2nd January 2013 in News
A THIEF pretended to be from the water board to steal a Hasting woman's handbag.
The man, aged in his 30s, called at the woman's house in Farley Bank on December 31 between 2pm and 2.45pm.
He asked her to go upstairs and turn on the taps while he stayed downstairs.
He stole a cloth handbag with a big flap over the top and one zip across the top was stolen.
The suspect is described as a white man, 6ft of medium build and clean shaven. He was wearing a black woolly hat and black top.
Detective Sergeant Tony Webb of Hastings CID said: "The method used to steal the woman's handbag was a despicable confidence trick in which the lady was told by the offender that there was a leak nearby and that he worked for the water board.
"The public are reminded to be vigilant and always ask for ID."
Any witness or anyone with information is asked to call 101 quoting serial 0694 of December 31.
