'Good Samaritan' steals 88-year-old woman's savings

The man in his 60s called at a house at Windsor Gardens on Monday of last week at about 5.30pm.

He asked the elderly woman who lives there alone to check her savings.

He told her he believed his two sons may have stolen from her.

She went to check and when she returned with her money he took it from her and left saying it should be kept in a safe and he would ensure it was put there.

It is understood the callous thief escaped with just over 6,000 in cash.

Inspector David Anderson of Ballymoney PSNI, said: "This was a dreadful incident. That would be the case at any time of the year but to happen in the holiday period just after Christmas makes it worse."

North Antrim DUP MLA Mervyn Storey described the incident as "despicable".

"It is just a despicable crime," he said.

"For someone to steal from an 88-year-old vulnerable lady just shows the depravity people will stoop to.

"This incident again reinforces the message that you should not keep large sums of money in your house however that in no way takes away from this disgusting crime. It is terrible.

"Someone in Ballymoney knows who did this and I would appeal for them to come forward as we don't want these type of people in our society."

Police have urged householders in the area to be careful when answering the door.

Anyone with any information regarding the theft is asked to contact police on 0845 600 8000.

Anyone who can help to identify the man who has been described as approximately 6'tall, of large build, with a long round face, or the vehicle he used, a white van which was parked nearby, is urged to contact the detectives at Coleraine PSNI Station.

The telephone number to ring is 0845 600 8000, email [email protected]

Meanwhile, police in Ballymoney and Moyle are reminding householders to be on their guard when it comes to answering an unexpected knock at their door. People's first thought should be "is this a bogus caller?"

Householders should never rush to answer the front door but should take time to check that the back door is locked and that all windows are closed and secured.