POLICE STEP UP HUNT FOR MEN WHO TIED UP PENSIONER IN ‘DESPICABLE” ROBBERY
Written by author on November 23, 2015
A PENSIONER who was tied up and robbed in a horrific incident at East Cluden Village is recovering today after a terrifying ordeal.
Police Scotland detectives have been working throughout the weekend to try and catch two men who broke into the 76-year-old woman’s house just after midnight on Friday/Saturday.
They are anxious to catch the robbers who tied up and robbed the woman named locally as Rae Graham in her home.
Police have mounted a huge search for two men after the Ms Graham was wakened by the men, tied up and the house ransacked.
CID and uniformed officers have been drafted into the village where door to door enquries are going on.
Police dogs have also been used in the search for the two men who got away with hundreds of pounds worth of cash and jewellery.
It is the latest in a series of robberies at houses across Dumfries and Galloway which has netted thieves several hundred thousand pounds worth of cash and jewellery this year.
The latest incident was at the pensioner’s house at East Cluden Village, about four miles from Dumfries.
It happened just after midnight when the two masked men broke into the house.
The two men tied up Ms Graham up and proceeded to search the property and steal a significant quantity of jewellery and cash before leaving the house.
Although she was unharmed she was badly shocked but managed to untie herself before seeking assistance from a neighbour.
She is said to be very distressed by the incident and one villager said: “It is terrible and something you never think of happened in a wee place like this.
“Everyone is shocked that this could happen here.”
The two suspects are described as white, well spoken, possibly with English accents and aged between 30 and 40.
“At the time of the incident their faces were covered and the suspects were wearing dark clothing,” said Detective Chief Inspector Colin Burnie who added: “Although unharmed, this was a very distressing experience for this elderly lady and it is important that we trace the men responsible as soon as possible.”
He added: “I would like appeal to anyone who may have any information as to who is responsible.
“These men need to be apprehended as they have preyed upon a vulnerable lady within her own home. I would like to reassure the community that despicable crimes like this are rare and we all must do what we can to trace these men as soon as possible.
“Any information you may have, no matter however small you feel it is, may make all the difference as part of our broader investigation.
“Our enquiries are continuing at the scene. We are conducting door to door enquiries and have deployed specialist resources, including the dog branch, to assist with ongoing enquiries.”
Police set up a mobile police office in the area at East Cluden and the Chief Inspector added: “We are telling the people not to be alarmed by the high visibility of officers around East Cluden.
“Local residents are encouraged to speak with these officers with any information they may have.”
