A PICKPOCKET stole £1,400 from a 78-year-old woman after stealing her handbag while she was shopping in a Waterlooville store.
Christmas shoppers have been warned as the incident was one of two which took place in the town’s Asda store on Tuesday, December 5.
The victim had £700 in cash in her bag when she was targeted between 11.15am and noon.
Using the victim’s bank card, the thief withdrew sums of £500 and £200 from two cash machines before unsuccessfully attempting to make a £1,299 purchase from the nearby Argos outlet.
A 73-year-old woman also had her purse stolen while shopping in the same store between 2pm and 3.15pm.
The purse contained £100 in cash while the pickpockets used her bank card to make several contactless purchases following the theft.
Witnesses or anyone with information should call 101 quoting 44170473573.
Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.