Police have issued CCTV pictures of a man and woman they want to speak to after an elderly man had his wallet stolen on a bus in Tameside.
The shocking incident happened on a bus in Hyde at around 1.50pm on Wednesday, August 3. The 87-year-old victim had boarded a bus on Market Street and was travelling home.
The two suspects also boarded the 330 Stagecoach bus, police said. The female suspect sat directly next to the victim.
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The male suspect sat at the back of the bus. Officers believe the woman then snatched the elderly man's wallet, which contained bank cards and £230 in cash.
The man was then seen using a cash machine at a nearby petrol station, where he withdrew £500 from the victim's account. Both offenders walked back towards Hyde town centre after the incident.
Police believe they 'travel on the bus network exploiting vulnerable members of the public'. Anyone who recognises the man or woman in the CCTV images is being urged to get in touch.
In a post on the GMP Tameside Facebook page, police wrote: "#APPEAL | We are appealing to the public for further information regarding a theft from an elderly man on a bus in #Hyde. At approximately 1:50pm on Wednesday 3 August 2022 officers were called to reports of a theft from an elderly person in Hyde Town Centre.
"The 87-year-old victim boarded the 330 Stagecoach bus on Market Street in Hyde and was traveling home. The two suspects boarded the bus behind the victim and the female suspect sits next to the victim.
"Whilst travelling on the bus, the female steals the victim’s wallet containing bank cards and cash to the amount of £230. The male suspect sits at the back of the bus observing the female and the victim, the male is then seen using a cash machine at a nearby petrol station where a further £500 is withdrawn from the victims account.
"Both offenders then head back to Hyde Town Centre on foot. It is believed they travel on the bus network exploiting vulnerable members of the public and we need your help to identify them.
"Anyone with information regarding this incident or recognises the suspects in the CCTV images should contact us on 101 quoting incident Log 1992 of 03/08/2022 Alternatively, you report information via www.gmp.police.uk using the 'report' function or you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111."
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