POLICE believe a bogus official who stole cash from a Huddersfield pensioner struck at two other homes on the same evening.
A man claiming to be from the ‘water board’ called at the home of the 80-year-old in High Street, Paddock, between 8.30pm and 9pm on Tuesday.
He said he was checking the water supply and asked the victim to run the taps.
The thief took the opportunity to search a bedroom and escape through a window.
In the second incident a man saying he worked for the ‘water board’ called at a bungalow in Ing Lane, Newsome, between 8.45pm and 10pm.
He asked the 85-year-old woman living there to run the taps before he sneaked into a bedroom, searching through drawers and escaping with cash.
A third offence took place between 10pm and 10.45pm at the home of a 83-year-old man in Bay Close, Oakes.
The caller claimed to be from the water company investigating a leak.
He kept the pensioner talking before sneaking in to steal money from a red cashbox and a wallet.
The suspect is white, 5ft 3in tall and in his early 40s, with combed back brown hair and a round face.
He wore a navy jacket and black trousers which resembled workmen’s clothing and had a local accent.
Police urge people, not to let strangers into their home and to ask for identification.
