Burglars in a distinctive red van stole £2,000 from a 91-year-old Brighton man, Sussex Police said.
The force said: “A distinctive red van is at the centre of a police investigation into the theft of £2,000 from an elderly man in Brighton.
“On Friday 10 August three men in a white van attended the 91-year-old’s address in Surrenden Crescent and offered to repair his roof for £500.
“They returned about 9am on Monday 13 August, this time in a red flatbed van, and suggested the chimney also needed repairing.
“Following some negotiations, the victim agreed to pay £2,000 for the job.
“He collected the cash from the bank and on returning to his house he left the money on the kitchen side while he went to deactivate the alarm.
“On his return to the kitchen the money had gone and the men had left.
“It is believed while he was turning the alarm off the money has been stolen from the kitchen.
“The three suspects are all described as white and in their late twenties to early thirties, and all of stocky build. One was bald and another was dressed all in black.
“Anyone with any information about the vivid red dropside flatbed van, or about the incident in general, is asked to report it online or call 101, quoting serial 406 of 14/08.
“Alternatively, you can visit the Crimestoppers website or contact the independent charity anonymously on 0800 555111.”
