Man arrested following series of bogus PC robberies

By SUSAN SMITH
Published on 23/07/2012 00:00

A MAN has been arrested following a series of incidents in which two bogus police officers entered, or attempted to enter, elderly people’s homes.

An 85-year-old woman was locked in a room in her own home in Newlands, Glasgow, while two men impersonating police officers ransacked it, stealing more than £10,000 worth of jewellery and cash, in April.

And in July an elderly man was stopped and searched in the West End of Glasgow by men claiming to be police officers. They stole a number of personal items from him.

Strathclyde Police are searching for a younger man, thought to be in his twenties.

It is alleged that at about midday on 9 April, two men knocked on the door of the 85-year-old woman’s home. They told her that they were police officers working on an inquiry and she invited them into her home.

Once inside, the pair locked the woman up and robbed her home, stealing more than £1,000 in cash and jewellery worth a five-figure sum.

The woman, who called the police after they had left, was not injured, but was extremely distressed by her ordeal.

On the same day, it is alleged that the two men also tried to gain entry to the home of a 53-year old in Cadder Road, Maryhill, by claiming to be police 
officers.

Then on 1 June, men impersonating police officers stole a three-figure sum of money from the home of a 51-year-old woman in the Plains area of 
Airdrie.

Earlier this month, Strathclyde Police issued a warning and asked residents of the Southside area of Glasgow to be 
vigilant, after bogus police officers attempted to gain entry to the home of a 56-year-old woman in Cheviot Road, Pollock, on 3 July.

The men asked for access to her property, but the woman refused to let them in. She requested that they produce identification. At this point, they fled.

Both men were described as local and politely spoken. The younger man is thought to be white and about 6ft tall. 
Describing the attack on the 85-year-old woman, Detective Inspector Alan McAlpine said:“I feel nothing but contempt for these two men.

“In fact, they are not men, they are cowards and their actions are truly despicable.

“Not only have they frightened an elderly lady, but they have stolen a lifetime of treasures from her, which are irreplaceable.

“It is inconceivable that people think they can get away with pretending to be police officers and use that as a ruse for committing crimes.”

He said that police officers attending people’s homes would either be in full uniform, or if they were CID officers, would be in smart business dress. All officers carried a full authorisation warrant card with their photograph and details on it.

Detective Inspector Fergus Hutcheson, of Pollok CID, said: “Keeping people safe is the top priority for the force and I would remind people to confirm the identification of people who come to their door, especially if unannounced, and who try to gain entry.

“No reputable firm will mind if you want to double-check 
the validity of someone’s identification.

“Anyone who has any concerns or who would like to speak to an officer should 
contact the Communities Unit at their local police office for advice.”

• A 55-year-old man is due to appear in court today in connection with five incidents of impersonating a police officer between April and July this year.