Police warn about supermarket car park distraction thieves
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SHOPPERS are being warned to be vigilant following a number of incidents in which people have fell victim to distraction thieves on supermarket car parks.
A team of criminals is thought to be targeting victims as they load shopping into their vehicles.
The warning comes after a recent incident in Wolverhampton and following other offences believed to be linked to the same group.
One of the offenders will distract the lone driver with a map and ask them for directions, while another offender will sneak up to the car and discreetly steal bank cards from the victim's purse or handbag.
When the shopper returns to the vehicle they are unaware that they have been a victim of theft while the offenders go and withdraw substantial amounts of cash from their account.
PC Matt Aymes, from Wolverhampton Police Station, said: "We think that the offenders are watching victims as they use their cards to pay for shopping and are making a note of their PIN.
"In the latest incident, which happened in Pendeford on 28 January, the victim had £4,000 taken from her account before she realised her card was missing.
"We are aware of at least two other incidents in Wolverhampton and one in Willenhall."
The offenders are thought to be of Eastern European origin and are smartly/respectably dressed.
The main male offender is aged in his fifties and is of heavy build, around 5ft 8 to 5ft 10 tall. He was last seen to wear a black leather jacket with sheepskin lining and a flat cap.
The main female suspect is in her late 20s to early 30s and is also smartly dressed with shoulder length, dark hair.
There is believed to be another male and female who act as lookouts for the group and may help identify victims and obtain the PIN number.
PC Aymes added: "We want to people to be aware of this specific distraction type theft to be vigilant if approached by strangers and whilst inputting their PIN numbers at tills and cash points.
"I would ask people to get in touch with us here at Wolverhampton police station if they experience any similar suspicious incidents."
If anyone has any information about who may be responsible for the thefts they should call police on 101 or the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
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