A shoplifter duped a pet shop out of £130 when she claimed her puppy had died.
The unidentified woman visited Pets at Home in Arun Retail Park and began to take items off the shelves before heading to the till.
She then told the shop assistant that her puppy had died and she needed to return the items. The staff member consoled the woman and refunded her a total of £130.
The suspect then left the store and was seen getting into the passenger seat of a grey or blue vehicle which drove away.
A short time later police received a call from Marks and Spencer reporting that a woman had been in the store and spun a story about some flowers she had ordered and that she wanted a refund.
When the shop assistant left the customer service desk to fetch the manager the woman loaded her bag with over £52 worth of alcohol.
After a discussion with the manager she was given £117 refund.
The woman responsible for both offences is described as white, 5′ 8″, aged between 40 and 50 years and with dark brown hair in a ponytail. She was wearing dark trousers, a grey blazer and black shoes.
Police are asking the public to help identify a woman who they want to speak to in connection with fraud and shoplifting offences.
PC Russ Watson said: “We are asking anyone who recognises the woman in the CCTV images to contact police online or call 101 quoting serial 1121 of 15/05. Alternatively you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”
