THE family of a 78-year-old woman who was robbed by an armed gang in her home has issued a plea for help to snare the culprits.
Four thugs targeted the elderly woman at her house in the upmarket Thorndene estate, in Elderslie, at around 7.40pm on Sunday.
They rang her doorbell and, when she answered, pushed her inside and searched through the house.
READ MORE: Extra patrols in Johnstone after spate of break-ins
They left with her handbag, which didn’t contain anything of significant value.
Police said the victim suffered “an extremely frightening ordeal” and have called for help to catch the gang.
The woman’s 56-year-old son, who asked not to be named, told The Gazette: “The family is just relieved mum wasn’t physically hurt, although she has been left shaken by what happened.
“She has good neighbours and they have rallied round to offer their support.”
The family said it was unclear if the attack was premeditated or the crooks targeted the house at random.
“None of it makes any sense to any of us,” added the son.
“The police have been very good and have kept us fully informed. I’ve been impressed by how the police have handled this.
“If anyone has any information, large or small, which could help the police with their investigation we’d be grateful if they could pass that on.”
Detective Inspector Robert Bowie said: “This was an extremely frightening ordeal for this woman, who was within her own home, and the four men responsible must be caught.
“The only description we have of the four men at this time is they were all aged in their early 20s and were wearing dark-coloured clothing. They were all of Eastern European appearance.
“I would appeal to anyone who was in this area and may have seen these men acting suspiciously or who may have information that will help us trace the suspects.”
READ MORE: Johnstone woman’s terrifying ordeal as she is tied up and robbed in her home
The callous robbery took place less than two weeks after a 46-year-old woman suffered a terrifying ordeal at the hands of a man and a woman who tricked their way into her home in Auchengreoch Avenue, Johnstone.
The smartly dressed crooks were carrying clipboards to make it look like they were on official business.
They managed to talk the woman into letting them in before tying her up and gagging her while they stole a four-figure sum of cash.
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