R10 000 worth of gold and diamond jewellery was pilfered from a 76-year-old woman on Saturday afternoon. The modus operandi used by the middle-aged female suspect mirrors an incident earlier this year when two female family members were also robbed of their jewellery.

In the most recent incident, which happened at about 5.30pm on Saturday in Jacaranda Crescent, the suspect, wearing a burka, a full body cloak worn by some Muslim women approached a home in the area, looking for someone.

She gained entry to the yard as a tenant was entering. When she reached the home, she told the elderly woman of the house that she was selling oils and crèmes that relieve aches and pains.

According to a family member who spoke on condition of anonymity, the elderly woman, suffering from these symptoms, allowed the unknown woman into the home. The tenant, watching the interaction and listening to the conversation, was highly suspicious and followed them into the house.

“The woman said that she had magnets that could relieve pain and suggested they go into the bedroom. The elderly woman was asked to remove her jewellery. The tenant was also asked to do the same but became suspicious and called a family member,” commented the relative.

By the time other family members arrived at the house, the cloaked woman had fled in a blue VW Citi Golf with NKR registration plates, with a loot of three gold and diamond rings and a set a gold bangles, all of which held sentimental value. The family alerted the emergency centre as well as the police but there was no sign of the woman or the vehicle.

She did however, in her haste to leave, forget her diary, which contained contact numbers.

“We called a lady in Durban who told us that she too had been robbed by the woman,” said the family member.

Following leads, the family has learnt that the woman is possibly operating in Mooi River and Ladysmith and warns the elderly to be vigilant.

“The elderly woman is shaken up and could not sleep but we are lucky that nothing worse happened. It seems like the seniors are being targeted, I urge them to be cautious and not allow strangers into their homes,” concluded the resident.

Report any suspicious activity to Estcourt police on 036 342 9525.