POLICE are hunting for a burglar who conned his way into a pensioner's home by pretending that he had lost a pet cockateel.
On Tuesday at 3.30pm, the conman called at the 81-year-old woman's home and said that his children's pet cockateel had escaped and flown into her garden.
On the way through to the garden he suddenly turned round, saying he had found the bird, and left.
The pensioner discovered that more than £30 had been stolen from a purse she had left in the living room.
Although not hurt in the incident in Raby Road, Hartlepool, she was left extremely upset.
The thief was in his late 20s, 4ft 9in tall, with a thin, gaunt face, short dark hair and a local accent.
He was wearing a white T-shirt and dark trousers, and had protruding teeth.
Anyone with information is asked to call Hartlepool police on (01642) 302126.
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