Confidence trickster on the prowl

Police are on the hunt for an unknown man who robbed two elderly citizens of their money on Sunday night.

The culprit is between 5′ 9″ and 5′ 11″ tall, of medium build and brown in complexion. His hair is cut low, he wears a thin moustache, has a rotten front tooth and teeth missing on both sides of his mouth. He was wearing a faded dark blue shirt, gray track pants with two white stripes on the sides and sneakers at the time.

His first victim was an elderly woman who lives at Black Rock, St Michael.

Police said the culprit gained entry to her home by requesting a glass of water.

“Having gotten the water, he was able to convince the complainant that he had package for her granddaughter. She then handed over a sum of money to the man at his request in exchange for the package which he told her was in his car parked a short distance from the residence. The man then walked away in the direction of Black Rock Main Road and did not return,” lawmen reported.

The culprit reportedly targeted his second victim, an elderly man, around 1p.m.

The man met the complainant in the car park of a store in the Black Rock, St Michael and told him he had a parcel and some US currency for his girlfriend.

“The complainant then gave the man directions to his residence and left the car park. The man followed him to his residence and on arrival requested a glass of water. The complainant let the man into his residence and went to get him the water, on his return with the water both the man and the money [the complainant] had left on a computer table were gone,” the police said.

As such the Royal Barbados Police Force is reminding members of the public, particularly senior citizens, of the following crime prevention tips:

Do not to allow strangers to talk their way into their homes under any circumstance.

Do not allow any strangers to draw them out of their homes under any pretext especially if they are home alone.

If persons suspect that they maybe the victims of a crime or are aware of any suspicious activity in their area, they are to contact Police Emergency at 211, Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIPS (8477), or the nearest police station.