Police are investigating a series of distraction burglaries where thieves have targeted the homes of pensioners across the Black Country.
Police are urging homeowners to be extra vigilant after fraudsters have posed as pest control workers and then stolen from their victim’s address.
There have been at least four such distraction burglaries since the middle of this week and detectives are now working to establish whether the two in Wolverhampton, one in Sandwell one in Dudley are linked.
There have been between two and four offenders involved in each burglary and when the victim is distracted their home has been searched and up to thousands of pounds in and other personal belongings taken.
Officers have released images of cars which Police believe may have been involved – a black Nissan Navara and black Mercedes – and are asking for any information about them and the occupants.
The Navara was seen driving through Wednesbury towards Walsall at around 10.50am on 4 August and the Mercedes was spotted travelling through Netherton at around 10.30am on 6 August.
A Mercedes matching the same description was also seen travelling between Fallings Park and Wednesfield between 11.45am and 12.15pm on 6 August.
Detective Chief Inspector Rod Rose, from force CID, said: “At this stage we believe there is a link between at least some, if not all, these distraction burglaries.
“This is an awful crime which is made all the worse by elderly and vulnerable members of our communities being targeted.
“The home is somewhere you should feel the safest, yet these burglars take advantage of being welcomed into your property under false pretences.
“We’re following a number of lines of enquiry but I believe there will be people out there who knows who is involved and can help. They do not deserve protection after preying on the vulnerable.”