A MAN has been arrested after allegedly trying to con a pensioner into handing over £17,000 for a roofing job.
The 25-year-old was apprehended in Spateston Road in Johnstone at around noon on Tuesday, March 26, after allegedly attempting to trick an 83-year-old man into handing over the cash.
Police say a man turned up at the alleged victim's home, in Spateston Road, on Monday and carried out a small amount of guttering before taking £100 from the pensioner.
However, the suspect is then said to have turned up again on Tuesday demanding £17,000 for further work to be done.
He convinced the pensioner to go to the Royal Bank of Scotland branch in Johnstone town centre and draw out the money.
The bank staff then grew suspicious of the amount being drawn out and contacted police.
Officers then turned up at the bank to speak to the alleged victim and were directed towards his home, where they managed to chase the suspect down the street and arrest him.
The suspect is due to appear in court today.
Inspector Jim Cast, based in Johnstone, said: "The bank staff did a cracking job here. If it wasn't for them, no one would've known any different."
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