Police Scotland is investigating two thefts which happened in Dumfries town centre on Thursday 11 August 2016. In both instances it appears that elderly women have been the target for the thief. One 84 year old lady had her purse stolen in the vicinity of WH Smiths in High Street sometime around 11.50 hours. In a second theft, a 96 year old Lady had her purse stolen somewhere between the bottom of Bank Street and the rear of Barbour’s shop in Brewery Street. Both victims had earlier been to their banks to withdraw cash.
Constable Alistair Hope, Town Centre officer for Dumfries said “information we have at present would indicate that both the victims came into contact with the following described female on Thursday. On one occasion, the 96 year old woman became aware of this female making a fuss of her in the Bodycare shop at around 1505 hours. This same female then appears beside the victim on the Whitesands, and accompanied her up to Barbour’s, when it was discovered that her purse had been stolen. The 84 year old victim appears to have come across this same female in WH Smiths, and shortly after discovered her purse stolen.
“The female we want to speak to in relation to these thefts is described as being in her 30s/40s, average height, slender build, well-groomed appearance with brown hair, possibly curly, dark tanned skin and she did not speak good English. She was wearing a dark coloured jerkin or fleece, navy/black shoes with white soles and a navy/black handbag which had a silver trim. She was carrying a copper coloured shopping bag.
“At present we are alerting businesses in Dumfries town centre about these thefts, and the presence of this mystery female. In July we had the report of an elderly man having had a large sum of cash stolen by a not dissimilar described female while he sat in his car in Queensberry Street. We want to hear from anyone who may be able to identify this female, or who may have had a similar experience with her to get in touch through 101.
