Southend: Man Wanted Over Elderly Thefts

23rd February 2012, 11:09

Essex police are looking for a 39-year-old man wanted in connection with a number of thefts from elderly people in care homes in the Southend area.

Officers want to speak to Eamon Collum, who is from the Southend area, following 16 incidents recently from Hadleigh to Shoeburyness.

In most cases a man tricked his way into the flatlets or rooms of residents and distracted them while taking handbags, cash or jewellery. But in a number of incidents ground floor flats were broken into.

The series of thefts started in mid-January and once inside a care home or sheltered unit the thief tries to strike several times. He has been seen and challenged on several occasions but always gives an excuse that he was in the building to visit a resident.

Investigating officer Ds David Browning said: "This thief has the gift of the gab and is quite convincing when he pretends to be an official at the home or a bona fide visitor.

"But he is carrying out despicable crimes against elderly or vulnerable victims and we need to find him quickly."

Collum is 6ft 4in tall, of slim build and has short brown hair. He is believed to be still living in the Southend area and usually rides around the area on a bicycle.

Anyone with information about his whereabouts should contact Ds Browning of the Southend Target Team on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.