Do you know this suspect bag thief?

A TRIP TO BUY A Christmas tree turned out to be an expensive outing for one East London woman. She left her handbag on the driver’s seat of her car as she loaded the tree into the boot. Once the tree was safely stowed, she realised the handbag was gone – with its contents, worth around £2,000. The incident happened at B&Q in Tangent Link, Harold Hill.

The victim used the “find my phone” app, with the result that police traced the suspect to a McDonalds restauarant in Bryant Avenue, Romford. CCTV at the fast food outlet recorded the suspect. Now police have released the images and appealed to the public to help identify this man. He is described as a white man in his 30s with short black hair and a beard. He was wearing a black leather jacket, black jeans and black trainers.

Havering-based Police Constable Sam Barton said, “We are keen to identify the man in the CCTV footage so we can speak to him about the incident. We would also urge anyone who witnessed the incident to contact us.”

We are all stressed out at Christmas, and it is easy to be wise after the event. However, this opportunist theft should act as a reminder to shoppers not to leave bags on car seats when they are loading shopping into their boot.

You can contact the police by ringing 101. Alternatively you can use the confidential Crimestoppers service on 0800-555 111, where you do not even have to give your name.

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