The victim of a robbery outside a Tesco has warned others to be vigilant after she was deliberately distracted by a man while another stole her bank card from her car.
88-year-old Lola Sledmere from Buckinghamshire, England, had put her shopping and handbag in her unlocked vehicle and turned to return the trolley.
A man then stopped her to ask for directions. Lola told the Express: “I thought he was being a bit stupid as there are plenty of signs for Chesham and it's only around the corner. But I offered help.”
An accomplice is thought to have opened her car while she was distracted and taken her bank card.
The pensioner only realised her card was missing when she looked at her online banking and saw two withdrawals of £250 (€302) had been made.
She informed Thames Valley Police, with two more £250 (€302) withdrawals made the next day in London. They are working with her to get the money back.
The grandmother of seven, who is originally from the Netherlands and moved to the UK in the 1950s, saw CCTV footage that appeared to show a third associate loiter behind her and watch for her PIN.
“Someone previously must have looked over my shoulder and got my PIN number at the checkout,” she said, WalesOnline reported.
The incident has left Lola wary of leaving her home. She said: “It's affected me very much. I have been struggling to sleep because I think about it all the time.
“It is just so clear in my mind. I have felt sad and worried, and stupid to be honest."
It has also affected her financially, too. “I am a pensioner. I have a state pension but I'm not well off at all,” she said.
Warning others about this type of robbery, Lola said: "Everyone should always lock their car, no matter how far it is from the trolley bay.
“I'd say be wary of strangers. My handbag was returned very neatly in the same spot it was in the car and my wallet wasn't taken. It was just this card but these criminals were very clever. It takes just minutes."
A spokesperson from Tesco told Wales Online : “We were sorry to hear about this incident and want to assure people that the safety of our customers and colleagues is our top priority."
