Widow has engagement ring from late husband stolen by cruel thieves Conniving thieves lured a vulnerable widow out of her home in order to steal jewellery of enormous sentimental value, including an engagement ring from her late husband. The 88-year-old woman was tricked by conmen pretending to be from the local authority who claimed they needed to look at her shed and flagstones because of ongoing building work. Police in south Manchester are now appealing to anyone who has information about the burglary to come forward and are asking residents to be on their guard should the offenders try to strike again. It happened at the pensioners home on Calvecroft Road in Peel Hall at about 1pm on Friday 31 January 2014. She was in her lounge when she saw two men opening her front gate and approaching her home. One of the men appeared at a window and beckoned her to come round to the back door, which she did. One of the offenders then pretended he needed to look at her shed and flagging which may have needed moving because of some ongoing building work in the area. This however was simply a ploy to lure her out of her door while the other offender snuck in through the back door. The pensioner eventually grew suspicious and asked for identification. At this point, she turned to see the other man running out of the back door and the man who distracted her also ran off. She went back inside to find four rings - a gold band diamond solitaire, a gold band three diamond ring, a gold band three diamond cluster and a gold band emerald and diamond ring - had been stolen. The gold band three diamond ring was an engagement ring from the widows late husband. One of the men was described as being white, the other possibly of Mediterranean appearance or Asian. Police are now appealing to anyone with information about the burglary to come forward. Detective Constable Lee Fisher said: It is either an act of pure desperation or sheer wickedness on the part of the offenders, but regardless of their motives, to concoct such a ruse and lure a widow from her own home in order to steal jewellery is truly appalling. It is not just the monetary value of the rings, but the sentimental value attached to them that simply cannot be replaced that has absolutely devastated this woman. One of these rings was an engagement ring from her husband and is a priceless memory. At her time of her life she should be enjoying her life not being subjected to such cowardice by these thieves. I firstly want to appeal to anyone who has information about the two men responsible to come forward. Did you see these men acting suspiciously? Have they come knocking on your door with a similar story? If you have any information, please come forward. Secondly, I would urge people living in this and neighbouring communities to be vigilant. If anyone comes to your door and gives you this story, or something similar, you would be right to be suspicious and ask for immediate identification before you open the door. If you are in any doubt, call either the police or ask for a number from the cold-caller and call their supervisor. A reputable company will be happy to provide their credentials. Lastly, I want to make a direct appeal to the thieves themselves and anyone else who knows what they have done. Do you really want to deprive an elderly woman of such treasured possessions? What if this was your gran and someone stole the engagement ring given to her by your late grandad? How would you feel? So do the right thing and at the very least return what rightly belongs to this woman. Anyone with information should call police on 101 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
Posted on: Mon, 03 Feb 2014 10:52:47 +0000
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