Further bogus garda calls to homes of the elderly reported
Three further distraction theft attempts were made at the homes of elderly people in the area on Friday as the recent spate of bogus garda caller incidents show no signs of abating.
Thankfully the three incidents reported in the Kilmessan, Carnaross and Virginia areas were unsuccessful. However, the two culprits managed to dupe an elderly lady in the Ballynacargy area of Westmeath earlier the same day, making off with a small sum of cash.
Two men claiming to be Gardai called to the home of an elderly woman in the Carnaross area at around 11.30am or soon after and showed what they claimed to be a garda badge and were carrying a sum of cash. The women did not believe them, asked them to leave, activating her personal panic alarm.
A short distance time later, the suspects called to the home of another elderly lady, this time at Ryefield, Virginia. Again, they showed what they claimed was a garda badge with a sum of money and asked her to check her cash. The woman knew they were not Gardai, closed the door and alerted a neighbour.
Not long afterwards, another attempt was made, this time at Kilmessan sometime between 12noon and 1pm. The culprits beckoned the elderly woman at the window, to come to the door, showing a fake garda badge and cash but she refused to open the door and they left.
Earlier that day at around 10.15am, two men called to the home of an elderly woman at Ballynacargy, Westmeath, claiming to be Gardai with money in their hand and asked her to check her handbag. They went in to her home and made off with a small sum of cash.
In three out of four of the incidents on Friday, the suspects were unsuccessful and Meath Crime Prevention Sergeant Patrick Smyth said he is glad to see that the message is getting out to elderly people and they were being more alert.
Sgt Smyth said in many of these distraction theft cases, the culprits can seem very plausible and mannerly.
He is reminding people that Gardai will never approach a homeowner about cash and if they are not happy with the identification of any person who calls to the door, not to let them in and to phone 999.
People are also reminded to make sure their back door is locked as often one person will distract them at the front door while another goes around the back.
Anyone with information on the above incidents that could help identify the suspects,is asked to contact their local garda station or the Garda Confidential Line at 1800 666 111.