A WOMAN enjoying a coffee with a friend had her purse stolen from a handbag in a distraction theft in Woodley earlier this week.
Now police have issued images of three men they want to speak to in relation to the crime.
The 76-year-old victim was in Coffee #1 in Crockhamwell Road shopping precinct on Tuesday, March 13.
Thames Valley Police said that she was followed by a gang of three men into the coffee shop.
One of the men distracted the woman while she standing in the queue. He tried to engage her in conversation and pointed at the counter.
Whilst doing this, a second man removed the victim’s purse – a designer brand called Radley – from her handbag and both men then left the shop.
They then used her bank card to withdraw an amount of cash from a nearby cashpoint and then made a second withdrawal later in High Wycombe. The card was also used to purchase goods from a high street chemist and a fast food restaurant.
Investigating officer, PC James Greehy based at Loddon Valley police station, said: “I am keen to speak to the men in these CCTV images, as they may have information which is vital to our investigation.
“Anyone who recognises these individuals, or has information about the incident, should contact Thames Valley Police on the non-emergency telephone number, 101, quoting reference 43180076969.
“Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”
