Police are searching for two Good Samaritans who helped an elderly woman after she was forced into a car and had gold jewellery stolen by a pair of women.
The robbery took place at 10.40am on Wednesday on Woodland Avenue, Luton, when an elderly Asian lady was dragged into a car before an number of items taken from her.
Police are seeking two Good Samaritans who helped her after the attack as witnesses to the incident.
Detective Constable Tim Worden, investigating, said: “The partially sighted, elderly woman had gone outside her home in Woodland Avenue to put out some rubbish when she heard a woman’s voice calling to her.
“She did not recognise the voice but went to see who it was.
“She approached the open back door of a vehicle parked in Woodland Avenue, facing towards Montrose Avenue, and suddenly felt something being wrapped around her neck.
“She was pulled towards the car and forced into the back of the vehicle.
“A second woman in the back of the car pulled the victim’s gold bangles off of her arm causing her to shout ‘Thief!’.
“She was then pushed out of the vehicle and fell onto the pavement.
“The thieves’ car made a U-turn across the road and drove off towards the traffic lights on Leagrave Road.
“Two men then came and helped her back into her home.
“This was a particularly vicious and cruel crime and as the robbery took place on a busy road we are hoping that passing drivers might have seen something.
“We are particularly seeking the two Good Samaritans who came to her aid and helped her back inside her home.
“They said they had seen the car doing the U-turn and so could provide us with valuable information about the vehicle and the two women inside it. “They can contact us in confidence if they wish.
“We would also like to hear from anyone being offered any Asian gold bangles cheaply.”
Anyone with information relating to this incident can contact DC Tim Worden in confidence, at Bedfordshire Police on 101, or text information to 07786 200011.
Alternatively you can contact the independent crime fighting charity, Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.