Attempted theft - Bungay Co-Op

15 November 2012

Police need to trace two men described as being of Asian appearance after an attempted theft in the Co-Op store at Hillside Road East around 4pm on Monday, 12 November.

A 68-year-old woman was in the freezer aisle of the shop, with her zipped-up handbag in the trolley she was pushing, and was about to open a freezer door when a man approached and went to do the same thing.

He began to ask her questions, engaging her in conversation and distracting her. The 68-year-old was then approached by another female customer who asked if another man was with her as he had his hand in her handbag. The 68-year-old then saw her purse was at the other end of the trolley.

The female customer told the 68-year-old that she had seen the second man unzip her handbag and remove the purse as she spoke to the first man. The female customer had challenged the man and made him put the purse back in the trolley. Nothing was stolen.

The incident was not reported to police until a little later and no details were taken of the alert female customer who came to the 68-year-old’s assistance.

Police need to speak to her and are asking anyone with information about the incident or the men involved – both of Asian appearance, one in his 20s to 30s, about 6ft tall, with dark hair, the other in his 40s to 50s with dark hair, facial hair and of stocky build – to contact PC 889 Seaman on 101.