Portland pensioner tricked by carpet cleaner thief - Dorset Echo

Portland pensioner tricked by carpet cleaner thief - Dorset Echo


<div readability="43.1578947368"> <h3>Portland pensioner tricked by carpet cleaner thief</h3> <p class="articlePublished">3:00pm Tuesday 5th July 2011</p> <br clear="all" /><!-- Actual Article Text Start --><p> A HEARTLESS fraudster stole £150 from a pensioner after tricking his way into a house disguised as a carpet cleaner. </p> <p> The 78-year-old pensioner from Weston Road in Portland was tricked into opening his door to a man pretending to be a window cleaner on Friday, June 24. </p> <p> The distraction burglary took place between midday and 1pm. </p> <p> The man, who is described as white, aged in his early twenties, around six feet tall and of a large build, wearing jeans and a light-coloured top and baseball cap, entered the house and took £150. </p> <p> It was only after the man had left that the 78-year-old noticed the cash had gone. </p> <p> Dorset Police have released details of the incident in a bid to encourage other victims to come forward and bring the fraudster to justice. </p> <p> Police Constable John Kirk, of Dorset Police, said: "I understand that the elderly victim, a 78-year-old woman, booked an appointment to have her carpets professionally cleaned. </p> <p> "A man attended and after doing a very poor job of cleaning the carpets, he left the house. </p> <p> "The victim later noticed that an envelope containing money was missing." </p> <!-- Actual Article Text End --> <br clear="all" /> </div>