A thief preyed on an 81-year-old man before pushing him to the floor and robbing him in Eccles after the victim had been to the shops last week.
The pensioner went into the town centre on Monday April 29, and was heading home along Barton Lane.
A short time later he noticed that he was being followed by a man who would stop and look at his phone every time the victim himself stopped and turned around.
When he reached a nearby park, the victim set down his four shopping bags and the offender pushed him to the floor, rifled through his pockets, and fled with a brown leather purse.
Detective Constable Brian Johnston said: “This elderly man simply went for a trip to the shops and found himself attacked and robbed in broad daylight. His attacker must be caught.”
The victim has been left shaken up with bruising but was able to give police a clear description of his attacker.
He is described as being white, scruffy looking, in his mid to late 20s, about 6ft tall and of skinny build. He had short shaven hair an unshaven face and was wearing dirty jeans and a long dark coat.
DC Johnston said: “We are appealing to anyone who may have seen the offender following the victim, but it is also possible that the offender may have been following the victim’s tracks as he went to different shops.
“I would therefore ask that anyone who saw a man matching the description behaving suspiciously in this area to also get in touch.”
Anyone with information is asked to call police on 0161 856 5087 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
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