Three men and Audi sought following burglaries

Police investigating burglaries involving elderly victims have released the description of three suspects and a vehicle which officers need to trace urgently.

On Thursday 7 July 2011, two burglaries were reported, one in Wheldrake near York, in which a woman in her eighties found two men inside her home who stole a box containing cash.

The other involved a 91-year-old woman who allowed bogus water officials into her Eggborough home who escaped with cash, car keys and personal items.

In another suspicious incident on the same day, which took place in Dunnington near York, a vigilant neighbour challenged two men who he saw walking down his neighbour's drive. The men told him they were looking for their ball.

Police have issued the following descriptions of the men and a vehicle seen at the Wheldrake and Dunnington incidents.

The first man is described as white, aged between18and 20 years, thin build, around 5ft 6in tall, and he was unshaven with dark coloured hair. He was wearing a navy baseball cap with a white motif, a light grey hoodie and dark coloured trousers.

The second man is described as white, aged around 20 with short cropped hair with a stocky build.

The third man is described as white, aged around 40, and wearing a dark coloured baseball cap with a brown peak and had a dark or tanned complexion.

The vehicle seen at two of the locations is quite distinctive and police are appealing for anyone who knows someone with such a vehicle or has seen it in the area to get in touch.

It is described as a three-door Audi S4 in navy or dark blue. It has large, matt black alloy wheels, tinted windows and a black soft-top roof. The vehicle is also thought to have been modified with lowered suspension. The S4 badge on the rear was in red and silver.

The car was seen driving away from Wheldrake around the time of the burglary. The men were seen getting out of the car in Dunnington and getting back in it after the neighbour spoke to them.

Detective Inspector Ian Dyer of York CID, said: "We need to stop these men before any other elderly people fall victim to their evil crimes. If anyone recognises them or the vehicle from the descriptions, we urge them to get in touch as a matter of urgency.

"Anyone who thinks they may have seen them in their area, or believes they may have been targeted by the men, is also urged to contact us."

Please call York CID on 0845 60 60 24 7 or you can give information anonymously to the Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111. You do not have to give your name and you could qualify for a cash reward.

1.11pm - 11 July 2011