Police are warning shoppers to be on their guard after an Annan woman was the victim of a theft at the Aldi store in Annan on Tuesday 3 July 2018. About 1.40pm the 74 year old woman completed her shopping by paying for it by debit card, having to key in her four digit code. On leaving the store she was approached by a male and a female, who spoke little English, indicating that she had dropped a £5 note from her purse in the store. As the victim opened her purse to check, the woman began pointing into the purse. The two parties then separated.
On Wednesday 4 July 2018 the woman discovered that her debit card had been stolen, in all likelihood during this meeting with the two at Aldi. On checking with her bank it was discovered that the card had been used a number of times immediately after she met the two at Aldi.
Constable Victoria Urwin at Annan said “It does appear that the shopper has been the victim of a distraction theft by the man and woman who approached her after leaving the Aldi store. The use of the card also indicates that these two, or others working with them were monitoring the lady as she keyed in her pin number at the till. We are currently examining CCTV to look for evidence and a better description of the two who approached the lady. All we have is that they may have spoken Italian, and might be of southern European origin. Again we would urge those using cash machines or keying in their pin number at tills to be vigilant when doing so. We are asking anyone who may be able to help us in this enquiry to get in touch with us at Annan on the 101 number, quoting reference number PDG 0146830718.
