TWO suspected conmen tore bricks and tiles from a pensioner’s roof before demanding more than £1,000 to repair the damage.
The two men tried tricking the 89-year-old into handing over the cash – saying they needed it as a deposit for equipment hire – but fled empty handed when his wife began screaming for help.
However, the pair were caught on hidden security cameras at the entrance to the home in Coventry’s Prince of Wales Road – and now West Midlands Police is asking for anyone who recognises them to get in touch.
PC Munmohan Sahota from force CID in Coventry, said: “We suspect this was a distraction burglary attempt: the men insisted emergency repair work was needed to the man’s roof but there was no damage before they started tearing away bricks and roof tiles.
“One of the men sneaked upstairs into a bedroom where he disturbed the victim’s elderly wife; she began screaming and the men ran off.
“We’ve secured some very clear images of the two men, who we suspect are from the travelling community. These are men who thought nothing of preying on vulnerable members of the community and trying to steal from them.
“If anyone recognises either of the men I’d urge them to contact me immediately so we can stop them from trying to con other elderly residents.”
The men struck at the address at midday on March 21 but had carried out surveillance two weeks earlier when they approached the house offering a gutter clearing service.
Both offenders are white, one believed to be aged in his mid- to late 50s and the other considerably younger.
The older man wore a dark coloured flat cap while the other was dressed in a grey Adidas hoody with navy blue stripes, a navy baseball cap, blue jeans and dark coloured boots.
Anyone with information should call West Midlands Police on the 101 number quoting crime reference 20CV/65129H/18 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.
