Police are hunting a thief who robbed an elderly woman's purse inside her own home.
The suspect managed to sneak into the 85-year-old's home on Wednesday morning by begging her for a glass of water.
He then followed her inside and stole her handbag from her couch and made off from the scene.
Police investigating the incident, which happened in Lyle Crescent, Bishopton at around 11.15am on Wednesday, said members of the public could hold the key to identifying him, reports the Paisley Daily Express.
Inspector Tracy Harkins, deputy area commander for Renfrewshire said: “This was a despicable act which has left the elderly victim badly shaken.
"We are very keen to trace the individual responsible and are carrying out extensive enquiries in the area to identify him.
“I would urge anyone who observed a male acting suspiciously in the Lyle Crescent area of Bishopton on Wednesday morning to come forward.
She added: “Similarly, I would ask anyone with CCTV or dashcam footage from the area to check if anything which may be useful to our enquiries has been captured.”
Police are also investigating a similar incident that happened just 15 minutes earlier in nearby Ingliston Drive.
A crook was chased from a 59-year-old woman’s home by a neighbour after he was spotted rummaging in her utility room.
Cops said that given the proximity and timing, they are keeping an open mind to the possibility the incidents could be linked.
Inspector Harkins added: “Again, if you witnessed anything suspicious in the area at this time then we would like you to come forward to police.
“We are not ruling out the possibility that these two incidents are linked at this time.”
Readers with information should call police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
