A woman has told of the horrifying moment a ‘scumbag’ pushed her way into her frail mum’s Stoke-on-Trent home before fleeing with a handbag. She explained how her mother had just returned home to Eaveswood Road, Abbey Hulton, when the woman burst in and started ‘filling her pockets’ with food before swiping the bag.
The terrifying incident unfolded just days before Christmas on December 22. Sharing details of the ordeal, the victim’s daughter said: “My mum had just come home from getting a bit of food shopping with her two young grandchildren, when this woman pushed her way into the house after following her.
“She started filing her pockets with the food and then picked up the handbag with everything in it and ran out of the house. My mum tried running after her but she’s very unsteady on her feet and my niece was screaming.
“She took her bag, cash, mobile phone, some other bits and bobs. She even got my mum’s gas and electric top up cards. My mum was left with no heating on as she was worrying about not being able to top it up without cards.”
After sharing an appeal on Facebook, the family have been supported by Sizzlers Fastfood in Abbey Hulton who gave the victim a food parcel. CCTV of the alleged suspect was also secured although StokeonTrentLive is unable to share this in full for legal reasons.
Staffordshire Police are now appealing for witnesses to come forward as their investigation is ‘ongoing’. A force spokesman said: “We were called to Eaveswood Road in Abbey Hulton, at about 1.10pm on Sunday, December 22 following reports of a burglary. A woman went inside the victim’s home while she was carrying shopping from her car to the kitchen.
“The suspect then ate chocolates that were on the counter and walked off. After this, the victim discovered her handbag had been taken. Later the same day, the handbag was returned to the victim. Her bank cards were missing, along with £110 in cash and an iPhone. Our investigation is ongoing and witnesses are asked to get in touch.”
Anyone with information is asked to call Staffordshire Police on 101, quoting incident 279 of December 22. To report anonymously, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
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