By XAVIER SMERDON
AN ELDERLY Werribee resident has spoken of being haunted by constant fear after she was robbed in broad daylight.
Josephine Leech, or Jean as she as known by her friends, was walking back to her car that she had parked on Synott St in Werribee on Thursday 8 November at around 1pm when she was stung by a brazen scam.
The 77-year-old grandmother was placing her walking frame in the boot of her car when a man fell down next to her.
Mrs Leech said the man started screaming in pain and asking for her to help him up.
“I kept saying I can’t help you up because I’ve got a bad shoulder and he just said you have to help me,” Mrs Leech said.
While she continued to help the man, a teenage girl entered her car and stole her handbag before getting into a nearby parked car.
The man then also got into the parked car while a middle-aged woman drove them away.
Mrs Leech, who reported the incident to police, said she believed the group were a family.
“I just keep on crying every time I think about it,” she said.
“I can’t believe that people would be so low, especially involving a young girl.”
Along with around $200, the thieves also got away with all of Mrs Leech’s bank and pension cards and her medication.
Mrs Leech said the incident had made her too nervous to help strangers.
“Everyone I’ve told about it has said they would have helped the man, but I won’t help anyone anymore,” she said.
“I feel so sick and upset about it. Anytime I see a car parked near me I get really nervous.”
The man is described as being around 40-years-old, having long hair in a ponytail and wearing a cap.
Anyone with information should call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
