A pensioner who collapsed and died after a burglary at her home was targeted by a gang of “opportunistic thieves” behind a string of other local break-ins, police said today.
Detectives released images of jewellery stolen in three other burglaries that took place the night Maureen Whale died at her home in Barnet.
Miss Whale collapsed while on the phone to a police operator and had to be given CPR by officers called to the break-in at around 6pm on Tuesday in Bells Hill.
The 77-year-old, who lived alone, was taken to hospital in a critical condition and died on Wednesday morning.
Police believe thieves targeted her address after breaking into two more properties in the same road, as well as another in nearby Sampson Avenue.
Detective Chief Inspector Noel McHugh, of the homicide team, said: “We believe the same group of opportunist thieves targeted these addresses ... before making their way into Miss Whale’s home.”
He said the burglars stole a number of items of jewellery in the raids, including two rings and a bracelet.
The three suspects also stole £30 worth of Turkish Lira and about £100 of Euros.
Around $900 American dollars and £200 to £300 were stolen from a property at Sampson Avenue the same evening.
Detective Chief Inspector Noel McHugh appealed to any pawnbrokers or “handlers” of stolen goods to contact police.
“Consider the awful circumstances of what has happened to a wonderful elderly lady and do the right thing and come forward with any information,” he said.
“If you work in a bureau de change and someone has asked you to change those foreign currencies into sterling in the last few days we also want to hear from you.”
He added: “Everything we have heard indicates that Miss Whale was a wonderful lady, in touch with her family but living an independent life in the same home where she had been her entire life.
“We can only imagine how terrified she must have been to discover her home invaded and two men rifling through her possessions.”
Grainy CCTV images of three men being sought have been released by detectives. They are all described as white and in their 20s.
Police said one of the men was wearing a black zip-up gillet, a white or light coloured long-sleeved top underneath and a black or dark coloured woolly or beanie hat.
Another was wearing hooded long-sleeved top with two dark patches on the chest/shoulder and the top of the back, dark trousers and light-coloured trainers.
Police said the third was wearing a dark long-sleeved hooded top or coat and light, possibly grey, jogging style bottoms and dark or black trainers.
DCI McHugh asked for those who live in Bells Hill from Newlands Place to Lexington Way to check their front gardens and hedges to see if any property has been disposed of.
He also urged two boys, aged around 12 and 15, who spoke to the first officers on the scene to get in touch as they could be important witnesses.
Anyone with information can contact police on 020 8785 8099 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
