Preying on the Elderly - Update

My sister said on the phone the other day that there was an online article in the local newspaper, saying that the sweet-talking, well-dressed confidence trickster had been caught! This was the result of a 31-year-old's quick thinking.

Yes, the con man who targeted the elderly, in particular women, had for some reason rung the door bell of somebody approximately his own age, and this guy had his wits about him.

After the con man's usual spiel, the intended victim put his hand in the pocket, but did not pull out his wallet; he produced a camera. Then he simply said "Smile", which the trickster did, sitting on the sofa.

So when the police did all that tedious desk work, trying to put all the pieces together they came across this "visit" as well. The 31-year-old's picture was unearthed and the police said "We know him!".

He turned out to be a well-known drug user and petty criminal, but of the non-violent kind. He was considered almost harmless and gentleman-like and was even known to open doors and carrying people's shopping, part of his tricky streak of course.Perhaps he could have made an excellent salesman, but he met his match in the quick-thinking 31-year-old. This man's brain worked much more efficiently than those of octogenarians.

Now somebody rang *his* doorbell; the police. He confessed to it all and is now behind bars awaiting trial.

My sister printed off the article to show our mum, who is currently in hospital with heart trouble. She also brought her the latest photos of her great grandchildren, which my sister had copied from my blog. All of that cheered mother up and might even have steadied her heartbeat a little. We can hope.