Kidderminster woman 'shocked' after distraction theft (From Kidderminster Shuttle)
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Kidderminster woman 'shocked' after distraction theft
3:00pm Wednesday 19th September 2012 in Local
By William Tomaney
A “SHOCKED” young Kidderminster woman says she was “disgusted” after distraction burglars she believed she was helping stole her smartphone.
Charlotte Jones, 22, was working at HR’s Bar, Load Street, Bewdley, on Wednesday, September 12, when, at about 6.30pm, two men and one asked her in broken English about the food menu.
The other placed birthday cards on top of Miss Jones’ Samsung Galaxy Note, worth about £400 and picked up the items including the phone.
The men, described as Asian or Eastern European, then left.
West Mercia Police said the incident was being linked to the attempted theft of another mobile earlier that day at about 3.30pm at Andrew Grant Estate Agents, Worcester Street, Kidderminster, where the same trick was used.
The two men are believed to have been involved in both incidents.
One appeared in his late 30s or early 40s, balding, slim, about 5ft 6ins in height, with short dark hair and tattooed writing on his neck. He was wearing a khaki coloured t-shirt and light blue jeans. The other man was in his late 20s.
Miss Jones said: “I was completely shocked, I was trying to help someone I thought did not understand English and they did that, it was disgusting.
“People should keep their phones on them and make sure they have insurance.”
Her mother, Sue Jones-Percival, said the phone had been used to make 10 international calls to Spain and Germany totalling £50.
Mrs Jones-Percival added: “It annoys me phones are pinched and it is not treated in the same was as stealing something from Sainsbury’s for example.
“People do not realise the impact on lives, phones are like a walking address book these days you have your photos, notes, emails, everything.”
PC Norman Roberts advised people working in bars and shops to be “on their guard and keep mobiles out of sight”.
Anyone with information should call Kidderminster Police Station on 101, quoting incident 573-S-120912, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.
