Three men from Middlesbrough have been arrested after a man entered the home of a pensioner, forced her to hand over her bank card and then maxed it out. 

According to police, the suspect claimed to be selling goods following his release from prison.

During the incident, he pressured the victim into handing over her bank card and PIN and withdrew the maximum amount he could - defrauding her of a large sum of money. 

He fled from the property when he saw a friend of the victim arrive on the drive.

The victim, a woman in her 80s from Harrogate, is said to be shaken by the incident.

Police investigating the incident that happened on March 6, gathered information that led to the identification of a vehicle connected to the incident.

When the car was seen re-entering Harrogate a few days later, officers intercepted it and arrested all three people inside the vehicle.


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The suspects were taken into custody for questioning.

The driver, 51, was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to burgle and drug driving after testing positive for cocaine at the roadside.

The passengers, one aged 37, were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to burgle and a 31-year-old was arrested on suspicion of burglary with intent to steal.

They have since been released on conditional police bail to allow for further enquiries to be carried out.