Hume police urge vigilance after alleged car park scammers target elderly women

Hume police have warned elderly drivers to be vigilant after a string of alleged thefts and scams in shopping centre carparks across NSW. Officers charged two men at a Glenthorne service station near Taree on December 7 with 72 offences relating to alleged fraud, theft, and enter vehicle without consent. During a search of the men and their vehicle, police allegedly located and seized vehicle wires, international passports, mobile phones, a Toughbook laptop, $6000 in cash and a number of receipts for money transfers. Their vehicle was also seized or forensic examination. The 37 and 57-year-old were charged at Taree Police Station and refused bail to appear in bail court on Thursday, January 8. Police have alleged the men worked together to steal from elderly women in the shopping centre car parks from January 3 to 7. One would approach the woman, claiming there was an issue with her car, before asking them to lift the bonnet to inspect. While the bonnet was up, another man allegedly stole items such as wallets, purses, cash and cards from inside the vehicle. Three of the alleged 18 incidents occurred in Woolworths car parks at Goulburn, Bowral and Yass, police said. Others took place at Albion Park, Wagga Wagga, Tumut, Unanderra, The Ponds, Newcastle, Forster, Penrith and several Sydney suburbs. In Goulburn, a woman posted to social media that two men approached her mother in the Woolworths car park. One claimed that something was wrong with the front of her car. She said the man had planted wires on the vehicle and that while her mother was distracted, another male stole her wallet, phone and car keys. By the time her mother returned home, money had been allegedly taken from her bank accounts and phone tracking devices disabled. Hume police acting inspector Bianca Williams said the Bowral, Goulburn and Yass incidents allegedly occurred on the weekend of January 3 and 4. She said while cash losses were up to $300, the alleged fraudulent transactions on credit and bank cards ranged from $2500 to $7000. In several cases, banks managed to block the transactions. Acting Inspector Williams said people were generally trusting of others who alerted them to vehicle problems. "(But) our message to everyone is that if you're putting things in your car boot, keep your vehicle locked and valuables on your person," she said. As investigations continue under Strike Force Pitstop, police have also released vision of two other men they wish to speak with. The first man is described as Caucasian appearance, in his forties, of solid build, depicted wearing a white with black checkered long sleeve shirt, black shorts, sunglasses, and a black hat with a white graphic on front. The second man is described as Caucasian appearance, in his 40s, of medium build, depicted wearing a white sleeve shirt, black shorts, black shoes with white bottoms, a blue face mask, a black hat with a white graphic on front. Anyone who may recognise these men or has information, including dashcam footage, that may assist police is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

स्रोत: Goulburnpost Com Au