OAP robbed in supermarket

Dec 15 2011 by Marjorie Kerr, West Lothian Courier

POLICE are appealing for witnesses after a pensioner was robbed of cash in a Bathgate supermarket.

An 87-year-old woman and a 79-year-old woman were shopping in Aldi at around 5pm on Monday when a younger woman approached them.

The woman asked if either had any spare change and as the 79-year-old opened her purse, another woman joined them.

She also asked for spare change and when the 87-year-old opened her purse to check, the woman dipped her hand in.

Both of the suspects then left the store and the elderly women continued with their shopping.

Upon reaching the till, the 87-year-old woman noticed that a high two-figure sum of cash had been stolen from her purse.

The suspects are described as female, white and in their twenties.

A police spokesman said: “The victim believed she was helping a young woman who needed spare change, only to find that her cash had been stolen in the process.

“She is understandably very upset by this and we are keen to hear from anyone who remembers seeing these women and can help identify them.”

Anyone with any information can contact Lothian and Borders Police on 0131 311 3131, or the charity Crimestoppers in confidence and complete anonymity on 0800 555 111.