Elderly targeted in daylight robberies

Apr 22 2011 by Johnathon Menzies, Stirling Observer Friday

A PENSIONER has been hospitalised and another badly shaken after a pair of sickening attacks carried-out in broad daylight.

The alarm was initially sounded when an 88-year-old man was found lying injured in the underpass that leads to Lovers’ Walk in Stirling’s Riverside area at 2.50pm on Tuesday.

Police believe the victim had been pushed to the ground by a callous criminal during an attempted robbery, with the suspect then making off in the direction of Wallace Street, clutching the victim’s walking stick.

A spokesperson said the stricken senior citizen, who was recovering yesterday in Stirling Royal Infirmary, was discovered by a passer-by and it is difficult to tell when the attack actually took place.

On the same afternoon a 70-year-old woman was walking along a path in the Callander Meadows when a man approached her and attempted to snatch her handbag.

Despite being shaken by the alarming incident, which occurred at around 5pm, the second victim kept her belongings – although the culprit ran off in the direction of Kilmahog with a quantity of cash.

Police said they were investigating the possibility that the two crimes are linked.

The man behind the earlier incident is said to be aged 21-40, around six feet tall and slim, with a Scottish accent and short, dark hair. He was wearing a blue jumper and dark trousers.

The Callander robber is described as 5’10’’ tall, slim, wearing a black jacket and trousers. His face was covered.

Detective Inspector Ronnie Isles described the incidents as cowardly.

He said: “These crimes have resulted in one elderly person being hospitalised and another traumatised. We are asking anyone who may be able to help us to contact us at the earliest opportunity.

“There were people who assisted the elderly man in Riverside and we would like to speak to them as a matter of urgency.

“We would also like to find the walking stick which was stolen from the gentleman. It may have been discarded following the robbery and we’d ask anyone who may have found it or who may have seen a man fitting the description we have issued to contact us.”

Police can be contacted on 01786 456000 or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.