A brazen thief patted his elderly victim on the shoulder before fleeing her home after he broke in and stole hundreds of pounds in jewellery.
The 90-year-old lady, who suffers from Alzheimer’s disease, watched in horror from her bed as the thief climbed in through her bedroom window and plundered her home.
He was captured on CCTV after forcing open the lady’s window open and held a hand up to greet her before he began to rummage for valuables in her dresser and bedside table.
During the 6.30pm robbery the victim interrupted the man, believed to be in his mid to late 30s or early 40s, and asked him “what are you doing?” before he replied “I am looking for jewellery”.
As he ransacked the woman’s home in Bromley, south London, on 6 March, the thief stashed away several earrings and rings in a white paper bag.
Moments before fleeing the home he patted his victim on the shoulder and left through the open window.
Detective Constable Dean Roberts of Bromley Police, said: “This incident has left the victim absolutely terrified and her family devastated.
“She has been targeted in a place where she has every right to feel at her most safe and comfortable.
“The CCTV footage is very clear. Do you recognise the man captured in these images?
“We also believe a torch light was shone through the window while the man was inside, suggesting there may have been an accomplice who was not caught on camera.
“I would urge anyone with information to call us as soon as possible.”
