Man poses as tree lopper to steal credit card
POLICE have issued a warning after a Lalor Park man was arrested after he allegedly posed as a tree lopper to rob a Westleigh home in June.
Blacktown
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POLICE have issued a warning after a spate of shady robberies have sprung up across western Sydney.
It took police almost two months to track down a man who posed as a tree lopper to steal a credit card from a Westleigh home in June.
The Lalor Park man, 29, has been refused bail after being charged with the theft on July 31.
It’s alleged he knocked on the door of the Westleigh home about 8.30am on June 4 and told the elderly resident he needed access to their backyard to plan the removal of a tree next door.
He spent time inside the home chatting to the resident before leaving, police said.
Later that day the resident received a call from their bank asking them about odd transactions, and the victim realised their credit card had been stolen.
It had been used for several times throughout the day.
The man was eventually identified and arrested on Tuesday, July 31, and charged with break and enter and four counts of dishonestly obtaining a financial advantage.
He was refused bail to appear before Hornsby Local Court on September 26.
Blacktown police Chief Inspector Bob Fitzgerald said several similar crimes had recently been reported to police.
Chief Insp Fitzgerald said elderly people were often targeted by thieves posing as tradies and labourers.
“Basically they say they need to come in and cut down a branch or bush and then they might ask for money,” he said.
“Once residents have got their back turned they take what they can grab.
IN OTHER CRIME NEWS
“We’d encourage residents not to let anyone from a reputable organisation into their house, and to be especially cautious of people who show up out of the blue.”
Anyone who wants to report a crime should call Crime Stoppers, 1800 333 000.