Hunt For Man Pretending To Be A Police Officer who Stole £200 From Couple

Published on: 23 Feb, 2015
Updated on: 23 Feb, 2015

A trickster pretending to be a police officer broke in to the home of a couple in Onslow Village and stole £200.

Officers from Surrey Police are appealing for witnesses following the distraction burglary that took place on Saturday evening, February 21, at about 7pm.

The owners were sleeping upstairs at the time the man broke in. When the suspect was challenged by the owner he claimed to be a police officer checking to see if they had been broken in to. The owner later discovered that £200 had been taken.

The offender is described as a white man, in his 40s, 6ft 1in, wearing a long black coat and large sunglasses and was well spoken. An unfamiliar dark coloured saloon vehicle was also reported as being in the area around the time of the offence.

DC Andy Walsh said: “This was a cruel and deeply upsetting crime committed against a vulnerable couple.

“If you were in the area around this time and saw or witnessed anything suspicious or have since gained any information relating to the burglary we urge you to contact us as a matter of urgency. Any information could prove vital in the helping to bring the offender to justice.

“We would also like to remind everyone that if they are in any doubt as to the identity of a caller claiming to be from the police, they should ask for the officer’s identity number and call 101 to verify that the person is genuine.

“It is important that residents remember to follow security measures – by keeping locks and chains on doors, not letting strangers in to their homes, checking identification thoroughly and if they are in any doubt, to refuse entry, whilst checks are made to relevant organisations by telephone.”

Another property nearby in Wilderness Road was broken into on the evening of the same day when entry was gained via the back door.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Surrey Police on 101 (999 in an emergency) or report it online at http://www.surrey.police.uk/ quoting reference 45150014763.

Alternatively the independent charity Crimestoppers can be contacted on 0800 555 111.