Gardai warn elderly being targeted by thieves

Gardai are warning elderly people to be wary of strangers calling to their homes after three elderly people had sums of money stolen in the past week by bogus callers. Two elderly neighbours living in Avondale, Trim, were targeted last week, while an elderly male living in the Rathmolyon area was the victim of a similar scam on Monday afternoon. At around 3pm on Thursday of last week, a man called to the home of an elderly female in Avondale offering to do work around the house. He distracted the lady by bringing her to the rear of the house to point out what work he could do in the garden. While the lady was distracted, another male entered her home and stole a sum of cash. Her neigbour, a man in his 70s, was targeted in the same way and the culprits made off with a sum of cash taken from his home while he was distracted. The caller is described as being of average height, with red hair, of medium to heavy build and he spoke with what is described as a Traveller accent. There is no description for the second male. It is believed the men were possibly using a green Volkswagen Passat. When Gardai made enquiries in the area, a number of people said these men had been around before. On Monday afternoon, a male in his 30s called to the home of an elderly man in Rathmolyon and told him he had found some money outside and asked if he had lost money. The elderly man went inside to check, and when he returned to the door, a second male had entered his house and the men stole a handbag containing a small amount of cash. It is believed the men made their getaway in a 2007-registered Peugot car. Sergeant Gordon Englishby is warning elderly people to be very cautious about who they open their door to and is urging them to use the night chain. He said that any legitimate callers should have identification and, if they are unsure about a caller, to contact Gardai who will be happy to check it out. Gardai are appealing to anyone with information on the incidents or who noticed anything suspicious to contact them at Trim Garda Station. Gardai are also investigating a burglary at another house in Avondale at around 2.30pm on Sunday 14th March. The intruder gained entry by forcing a rear window, ransacked the house and stole a quantity of cash. A neighbour spotted two males in the garden and contacted Gardai. One of the males is described as 6ft with brown hair and was wearing black jeans and a black top. The second male was also about 6ft, with blond hair and was wearing dark-coloured clothing. The men ran to the front of the house and left in a white Citroen Berlingo with an English registation plates. A burglary at Towlagh, Clonard, on Monday is also being investigated. The break-in occurred between 9am and 5.30pm while the house was unoccupied. A rear door was forced and a small amount of US dollars and Polish currency was stolen. Gardai are investigating a burglary at Newcastle Woods, Enfield, between 3am and 4am where a red Ford Focus was stolen after the keys were taken from the house. The vehicle was spotted by Gardai in Summerhill a short time later but, as they were alerted and turned to pursue the vehicle, it had already taken off at speed in the direction of Kilcock. The car has not yet been recovered. A man who was viewing a car that was for sale, jumped into the 99 MH-registered blue Hyundai Accent and drove off in the vehicle at 12 noon on Friday 12th March. The car owner was showing the vehicle at his home at Corballis, Garlow Cross, Navan, and was distracted for a moment when his phone rang. As he took the call, the culprit drove off in the vehicle. The man is described as being 5ft 7 in height, with brown hair and was wearing a grey jumper and blue jeans. He spoke with a slight Dublin accent and was dropped off in a black Opel Corsa.