E-fit of suspected Cirencester distraction thief released (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

E-fit released in hunt for suspected Cirencester thief in "baker boy" hat

11:30am Monday 10th September 2012 in News By Laura Shack

AN E-FIT of a suspected thief has been released after a distraction theft outside a Cirencester supermarket on the weekend.

Police are warning shoppers to keep an eye on their purses and handbags following the theft near Tesco at the Brewery Car Park on Saturday, September 1.

A 65-year-old woman was in the car park at around midday when she was approached by a man, who asked her for directions, presented a large map and engaged her in conversation.

A short while later she discovered that her debit and credit cards had been stolen from her car and £250 taken using the card.

It is thought that the women had been intentionally distracted so the cards could be stolen.

The man was described as white, around 5ft 10ins tall, and between 40 and 50-years-old. He was wearing a navy jacket, dark coloured trousers and a navy “baker boy” hat. The incident was reported to police on Monday, September 3.

Anyone with any information about the incident is asked to contact Gloucestershire Police on 101, quoting incident number 97 of September 3.

You can also give information anonymously by contacting the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via www.crimestoppers-uk.org and you may receive a reward if someone is arrested and charged.

Officers are currently investigating whether the crime is linked to a similar incident in the car park for Waitrose on Sheep Street on August 17.