Thieves steal cash, wedding ring and photo album from 80-year-old widower

The distraction burglars struck in Streetly on Wednesday morning leaving 80-year-old Colin Bennett heartbroken when he realised what had happened.

At around 11am a man knocked the door at his address in Queslett Road East claiming he had been sent by the water board to carry out checks.

In good faith, Mr Bennett let him inside leading him in to the kitchen where the suspect carried out supposed inspections for around 15 minutes.

Little did the victim know at that point that a second person had sneaked into the property and started rummaging around an upstairs bedroom.

Mr Bennett's wife passed away last year, aged 85, and among the belongings took were photographs on their wedding day which had not been copied and could now be lost for good.

West Midlands Police has launched an appeal, hoping at least to recover the sentimental items.

Detective Constable Eddie Morgan from the investigation team said: "The most devastating loss is the photos and the memories within the photo album which have been taken. These had not been copied and can never be replaced.

"We are determined to get these items back to the owner. I'd urge anyone who has been offered such items for sale to come forward and tell us."

"We are also appealing for anyone who saw someone in the area matching the description to contact us."

The suspect was believed to be in his late 20s, 5ft 8ins tall, skinny, wearing a dark baseball cap, a dark sleeveless coloured jacket and grey industrial glasses.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dc Morgan at eddie.morgan@west-midlands.pnn.police.uk

Crime no. 20BE/75202N/17