Police believe they have identified one man involved in a roof-painting gang that has been ripping off the elderly throughout the North Island, but are yet to make an arrest.
The man is thought to be in Auckland but is yet to be located by detectives, a spokeswomansaid.
Detective Scott McDougall of Cambridge police said publicity about the group had generated a good response from around the country.
The plight of Cambridge couple Joan and Kenneth Allan, who were ripped off to the tune of $5000, was highlighted by the Herald today.
The pair were conned out of some of their retirement savings just hours before Mrs Allan was hospitalised with septecemia.
The following day, after visiting his wife in hospital, Mr Allan was on his way home when he lost control of his vehicle and struck a tree.
The World War II veteran later died in Waikato Hospital, with his ill wife by his side. He uttered 'sorry for the trouble' in some of his final words to his daughter.
Although police said they could not directly attribute the crime against Mr Allan to his death, it was felt the offenders had taken advantage of his vulnerability.
Police say a man in a security camera photo, published in this morning's Herald, had been identified by Auckland police.
A complaint from an elderly man in Onehunga, Auckland, had been received. The man had paid $3000 in advance for his roof to be painted, but the work was never done.
It is believed the man has passed valuable information on to detectives.
Two other elderly people in Cambridge, aged 73 and 70, have also told police that they were approached last week by men offering to paint their roofs.
The offers were declined.
Mr McDougall said police were also looking into another complaint from Rotorua, where an elderly man had paid $4000 for a one-hour job.
Police are still keen to hear from anyone who has had dealings with the roof painters. They are described as European, aged between 35 and 50 and of solid build.
