Man charged with burglary after elderly woman scammed in Coventry
A 95-year-old had her cash and cards taken after letting a fake door salesman into her home
A man has been charged with burglary after an incident in which an elderly woman was scammed, and had her cash and cards stolen.
The 95-year-old woman let a fake door salesman, who was pretending to sell homewares, into her home in Allesley on 27 August. She was being offered things like cloths and tea towels for sale.
A man then claimed to be thirsty and when the woman went to get him a glass of water he sneaked inside and swiped her purse. The offender then left with her cash and cards.
Yesterday officers spotted a man in Walgrave Road who they'd been looking for in connection with the offence. WMP say the man tried running off but they arrested him in back gardens.
A 42-year-old man has now been charged with burglary and was due in court yesterday afternoon.
Recently, West Midlands Police urged people to be vigilant against so called ‘Nottingham Knockers’ – scammers who go door-to-door pretending to be selling homewares but who are looking for an opportunity to sneak inside and steal.
The scam involves the offender suggesting they’ve been released from prison and are trying to turn their life around as a salesperson offering housewares to residents.
A spokesperson from West Midlands Police said: " "We're also really keen to hear from any residents who may have experienced this type of con in recent weeks."