Home of woman (60) invaded by two "postmen"

Dec 23 2010 by Chris Clements, Hamilton Advertiser

A 60-YEAR-OLD woman endured a terrifying daytime ordeal when two robbers forced their way into her home and demanded cash.

The Hamilton woman answered the door after one of the pair claimed to be the postman.

When she opened the door of her Whitehill home the men barged into the house, with their faces hidden by scarves.

One of the men forced the terrified victim into a bedroom, while the other searched for money.

The robbery took place in Abbotsford Crescent at around 9am last Thursday, December 16.

A Strathclyde Police spokesman told the Advertiser one of the suspects was “well-spoken”, and had asked his victim if she needed help. He asked: “Are you okay? Do you need your inhaler?”

Investigating officers find the questions highly unusual, due to their personal nature, the spokesman said.

He said: “At no point did the householder feel threatened by the men. However, she was very shocked.

“She was kept in the bedroom with one suspect, while the second male was ransacking another bedroom.

“The second suspect then came into the room and asked the householder, ‘Where is the money?’

“She told them that there was none.”

The men also raided the woman’s kitchen, searching through cabinets and drawers in a bid to find cash – but found none.

But before fleeing the men pocketed two mobile phones - a grey Nokia C3 and a white Samsung – from the living room. “The phones were to the value of £120 in total,” added the spokesman. Checking the house after the robbers had left, the victim found no other items missing.

The well-spoken suspect is described as around 5ft 10 ins, and wearing dark clothing.

The second suspect is described as around 6ft and also wearing dark clothing.

The police spokesman added: “Thankfully the woman was not injured during this incident. However, it left her alarmed and very distressed.”

Detective Constable Alison Jarvie, who is dealing with the enquiry said: “The female householder was left very shaken as a result of this incident.

“We would urge householders to be vigilant when someone appears at their door unsolicited.

“If someone calls at your door you are not expecting and you don’t know them, don’t let them in.”