Dorchester hairdresser takes on distraction thieves (From Dorset Echo)

Dorchester hairdresser takes on distraction thieves

2:00pm Friday 27th January 2012 in Local News By Harry Hogger

A HAIRDRESSER targeted in a distraction burglary in Dorchester has told how she chased down the offenders to get her money back.

Stephanie Ring, 19, was working in the Hair Depot in Trinity Street on Wednesday afternoon when two women came in and tried to pull off the crime.

She said one kept her talking downstairs in the salon while the other said went upstairs, where there was also a staff area, to use the toilet.

Stephanie said moments later she went upstairs and found the woman who had gone up there coming out of the staff area. She said: “I said it’s private in there and she said she was lost.

“I finished talking to them and didn’t suspect anything major. As soon as they went I realised they had been in my bag in the lockers and nicked money.” Realising cash totalling £70 had gone missing, Stephanie said: “I ran downstairs and shouted to the girl down there ‘they’ve just nicked my money’.

“I ran after them and stopped them and said ‘you need to come back to the salon, we think you’ve taken something’. I said ‘you’ve taken my money’ and ‘I’m not letting you go till you give my money back’.

“Then the lady took the money out of her pocket and put it in my hand, she said ‘I thought it was free’.”

Both women then got away and police were called.

The 19-year-old said both women were of Indian appearance, with one aged between 30 and 35 with red hair highlights and wearing a black jacket and denim jeans.

The other was slightly older with long black hair.

Stephanie said both women also had a number of gold teeth.

Inspector Les Fry of Dorchester Police urged any witnesses to the incident, which occurred at around 2.50pm on Wednesday, to call Sergeant Anita Arliss on 101.

Skimming device on ATM seized

POLICE in Dorchester are also investigating after a card skimming device was placed at a cash point at the town’s Tesco store.

The incident also occurred on Wednesday and Inspector Fry said he could not rule out a link with the attempted distraction burglary at the Hair Depot.

Insp Fry said: “At about 12noon we were called to Tesco in Weymouth Avenue.

“Officers attended it was found that one of the cash machines had been tampered with and was fitted with a reader and a camera.

“The device was seized.”

A Tesco Bank spokesperson said: “We immediately disabled the ATM following notification of the skimming device.

“If any customer is concerned about an irregular transaction on their account then they should contact their bank.”

Anyone with information about the offence can contact PC Jim Crocker at Dorchester Police Station on 101.