$600 snatched from Masterton woman, 91 | Wairarapa News | Local News in Wairarapa

A 91-year-old woman has been left traumatised after being robbed of $600 outside council offices in Masterton.

Police have called the crime "disgusting" and said the thief and getaway driver might have seen the elderly woman, who was on a motorised scooter, withdrawing cash from the bank to pay her rates.

The woman, who has lived in Masterton all her life, spoke to the Times-Age yesterday, but did not want her name published.

She came into town on her scooter on Thursday morning to pay her rates and withdrew the cash before going to the Masterton District Council offices on Chapel St.

"When I got to the counter, I decided to keep my cash and pay the rates by cheque," she said.

The thief followed her into the building and asked staff a question as she paid.

"I didn't hear what he asked but, after my bag had been snatched and I was back in the council office, they told me he had asked where the Times-Age building was," she said.

After the woman had paid, she walked out to her scooter and the thief ran up behind her and snatched her handbag. He then jumped into a waiting car, where a passenger door had been left open for him, which then drove north along Chapel St.

In her handbag, since recovered by police, was $633 in cash, bank books, a chequebook and other items.

The woman went back to the council's front office and told staff what had happened.

"They were wonderful," she said. "They sat me down and got me a cup of hot water, as I don't drink tea, and then called the police and my granddaughter."

The elderly widow has two children, eight grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and four great, great-grandchildren.

She said she has never before experienced anything like the incident on Thursday.

Police said the car had sped from the scene on Ngaumutawa Rd near Webstar. The victim's handbag was recovered, but without the cash.

Detective Sergeant Rob Rackliff said it was thought the offender was a passenger in the vehicle and escaped through the Webstar grounds.

He was thought to be wearing blue jeans, or shorts, and a light coloured singlet.

Mr Rackliff said he was "disgusted" by the crime and was sure the entire Wairarapa community would be too.

"The victim was initially taken to hospital because she was traumatised by the incident, but later released," he said.

"She is now being cared for by family and being given assistance from Victim Support staff."

Masterton District Council revenue accountant John Wynne said the attack had left front office staff "devastated".

Mr Wynne said it was awful for somebody to take advantage of an elderly woman like that.