North Wales - Thief steals credit cards from shopper outside ASDA in Saltney

Published date: 07 December 2015 | 

Published by: Steve Creswell 
Read more articles by Steve Creswell Email reporter

A CUNNING thief distracted a supermarket shopper by asking her directions – and then pinched two of her credit cards.Police are now appealing for people to contact them with information about the theft, which took place at around 3.30pm on Friday, November 27, outside Asda on River Lane, Saltney.

The incident comes less than a week after officers issued a warning that sneaky thieves were targeting supermarket customers across the city.

They operate by spying on people as they enter their PIN numbers at the tills before distracting them, stealing the cards and withdrawing cash.

In the latest case, the thief used one of the cards to withdraw an unspecified amount of money from a machine.

A police spokesman said: “The victim, a local woman, had been shopping in the store and whilst loading her shopping into her vehicle she was approached by a man asking for directions.

“Whilst giving directions it is believed that the man has managed to distract the victim and steal two credit cards, one of which was later used and a quantity of cash was stolen.”

The culprit is described as approximately 50 years old, 5 foot 5 inches tall, chubby build and of eastern European origin.

PC Darren Franks from Chester Local Policing Unit said: “I’d like to ask anyone who was in the area at the time of this incident and believes that they may have any information to come forward to help with our investigation. I’d also like to remind people out shopping over the Christmas period to remain extra vigilant.”

Anyone with any information in relation to the incident is asked to contact Cheshire Police on 101 quoting incident number 1033 of 27/11/2015. Alternatively information can be reported anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.