A 79-year-old pensioner had his £2,000 savings snatched when a thief distracted him.

The incident happened at about 11.20am on Friday, September 11, when the man was approached as he sat in his car at the Church Street car park, Epsom. The wallet with the money was on his lap.

As the pensioner was about to drive away a man tapped on the driver’s window and pointed to the floor.

When the victim got out of his car he noticed coins on the ground and bent down to pick them up.

When he got back in his car he realised his wallet was gone.

The thief is described as a dark-skinned or Asian man, approximately 5ft 8 in and wearing dark clothing.

The theft is being linked to a separate incident which happened when a 65-year-old man returned to his vehicle which was parked in a car park in London Road, Redhill, at 11.30am on Thursday, September 17.

As he started up his car an Asian man tapped on the rear window and pointed to the rear of his vehicle.

The victim got out of his car, leaving the door open, and went to the back of his car.

He then got on his hands and knees and looked under the car.

When he got back into his car he noticed his black leather travel wallet, which was placed on the front passenger seat, had been stolen.

The wallet contained a number of credit and debit cards, an American driving licence, frequent flier loyalty cards, American medical documents, £450 and $300.

The thief is an Asian man, 5ft 4in, very slim, in his late 20s and he had a goatee beard.

He was wearing light-weight dark jacket and dark trousers.

Investigating officer PC Siobhan Gleeson said: “On both occasions the thieves struck in broad daylight and were persistent in getting the victims to exit their vehicles.

“We believe the suspects seen by the victims were not acting alone and it is possible up to three men are working together to pull off these distraction-style thefts.”

Anyone with any information should call Surrey Police on 0845 125 2222, quoting reference number RB/09/9105 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

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