This is the shocking moment a grandmother had £450 stolen from her handbag in a lightning-quick distraction theft outside a busy discount store in Birmingham. CCTV footage obtained by the Daily Mail clearly shows two women – one wearing a distinctive headscarf – targeting Elaine Parkes, aged 66, as she crouched down to examine a box of goods outside MC Bargains in Acocks Green. The incident occurred just after midday on Saturday, February 14th, in a brazen display of criminal opportunism.
How the Theft Unfolded
Within mere seconds of Mrs Parkes bending down, one woman positioned herself uncomfortably close beside her, while the other reached into her open handbag and deftly removed her purse. The entire operation was executed with such speed and precision that the victim remained completely unaware of the crime as it happened. Mrs Parkes, a grandmother of one who cares full-time for her 36-year-old autistic daughter, only realised something was amiss minutes later when she noticed her handbag was open and her purse – containing a significant portion of her pension and her daughter's benefit payments – had vanished.
Victim's Harrowing Account
‘It all happened in a flash,’ Mrs Parkes recounted to the Mail. ‘I remember one of the women was right by my side and I was thinking “oh you’re a bit close”. As I bent down slightly to have a look at some wooden coasters in a box, the second woman has dipped into my bag and taken the purse. I didn’t notice a thing at the time. I only knew something had happened a few minutes later when I noticed my bag was open. I looked to find my purse but realised it had vanished.’
The retired admin worker, who lives close to the store, described returning to the shop to check if anyone had handed in the purse, but to no avail. The store owner, Mark Convey, then reviewed the CCTV footage and later showed her the security camera recording. ‘To be honest with you I felt sick when I saw it,’ Mrs Parkes admitted. ‘I had £450 in that purse that was partly my pension and partly benefit payments belonging to my daughter who is disabled and lives with me. I look after her money as well. Normally I wouldn’t keep her cash on me but I’d forgotten to take it out of my purse when I drew the money out the previous day.’
Community Rallies to Support Victim
In a heartwarming display of community spirit, store owner Mark Convey took pity on Mrs Parkes and organised a whip-round among staff and customers. Through their collective efforts, they managed to raise the full £450 that had been stolen. Mrs Parkes expressed her profound gratitude, stating: ‘Mark was brilliant, he organised a donation and added in a bit himself and got me the £450 that had been taken. I’m really grateful to everyone and it restored my faith in humanity.’
She added, with a note of determination: ‘I just want these women caught now before they can steal from someone else. They shouldn’t be allowed to get away with it. What they did was disgusting.’
Store Owner's Response and Police Investigation
Mr Convey, who said he was happy to help, revealed that he had seen the suspected pickpockets in his store on previous occasions. He has now banned them from the premises. ‘They’re banned now and if I see them I’ll call the police. What they did was shameful,’ he asserted. ‘They waited for Elaine to come out the shop and you can see on the footage how one of them sidles up to her to create a distraction while her accomplice leans in and takes the purse. Elaine is a valued regular and we were keen to give her the money back. We’re a warm hearted community and look after our own.’
Mr Convey expressed concern that these individuals might strike again, noting: ‘Those two women need to be found as soon as possible. I’ve been told that Elaine isn’t their first victim and probably won’t be their last if they’re not caught soon.’
A spokesperson for West Midlands Police confirmed that an investigation is underway. ‘We’re investigating after a purse was stolen from a woman while she was shopping at a store on Olton Boulevard, Birmingham, at 12.15pm on 14 February. Officers are in the process of carrying out CCTV enquiries to find those responsible.’ The police are urging anyone with information to come forward as they work to apprehend the suspects and prevent further incidents.
