Boy Fakes Down's Syndrome to Aid Theft

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Callous pair steal from 83 year old man in Osterley

An 83 year old man in Osterley was the victim of what appears to be a callous con-trick in which a child was made to pretend to have Down's Syndrome.

The incident occured on 10th September at 3.10pm. The victim answered the front door to his house on Jersey Road, Osterley to a female who said that she had just moved into the area and asked if the classic car on his driveway was for sale.

He stated that he did not know as the vehicle belonged to his daughter but if he took her telephone number he would get his daughter to call her. Approximately 10 minutes later the female returned to the address along with a young boy. She asked if she could have a drink of water for the boy as he suffered with Down's Syndrome.

The householder then went into the kitchen expecting the female and boy to stay on the door step however they followed him into the kitchen and left the front door open. He provided the boy with a mug of water who then pointed at a box of cereal on the side. He refused to give him any causing the boy to sit on the floor waving his arms in the air. It took the female some time to get the boy to stand up and leave the address. The victim remembers hearing several short whistles shortly before they left . The victim then realised that his jacket in the front room had been moved and that his wallet was no longer in the pocket. He went out into the street and looked towards White Green Park where he saw the woman walking away with a taller male.

The victim described the female as white, approximately five feet two inches and aged around a 20 years old with fair shoulder length hair. She was slim and was wearing a pink t-shirt & matching pink jogging bottoms, she also spoke with a local accent.

The boy was male, white, approximately four feet two inches and aged around 10 years old with dark brown hair, short back and sides. The victim did not notice what the boy was wearing. However he did state that he did not say anything, which he found strange and he did not think that the boy looked like he had Down's Syndrome.

Police are asking residents to spread the word about this incident as they believe this group may try to target other elderly people in the area.

If you have seen these people in the area or believe you know who they may be you are asked to contact T/DC Ivan McNally on 020 8247 5940.

September 13, 2006