A trip to Launceston ended up being more costly and stressful than Ulverstone's Peter Beattie had hoped for after his wallet was stolen while visiting a pharmacy.
Mr Beattie said he had taken his wife to Launceston for an angiogram at Launceston General Hospital last week.
He said he decided to go for a walk into town during the time it took for his wife to have the procedure done.
During this time, Mr Beattie said he developed a blister so went to a chemist to get a band aid.
He said his wallet fell out of his pocket when he bent down to put on his band aid, and that a young woman picked it up and took off with it.
Mr Beattie is over 70-years-old, and said he had cards, such as his pension card, and $1300 cash in his wallet, that was to pay for his living expenses.
"The wallet had all my cards, and it's been a massive trauma replacing them," Mr Beattie said.
"It's put a lot of stress on me."
He said he felt his privacy had been invaded by someone taking his wallet.
"The sad part is, my wife had to fast before her procedure.
"And because she didn't take her handbag, thinking she wouldn't need it, I couldn't even buy her a coffee on the way home.
"She had to wait until we got home to eat something."
Tasmania Police said it was investigating a wallet stolen from Chemist Warehouse on Charles Street in Launceston on July 20.
"Around 1pm a male customer in the store mistakenly dropped his wallet before leaving," a police spokesperson said.
"CCTV footage shows a woman in the store picked up the wallet and left it in her possession.
"Police are investigating to determine the identity of the female."
Anyone with information in relation to the theft has been asked to contact Launceston Police on 131 444.
Molly Appleton
Molly Appleton is a senior journalist at The Examiner, having formerly worked at The Advocate as a news and sports reporter. She brings a passion for storytelling and knowledge of Tasmania across the three major regions. For any story ideas contact her on 0448 184 160.
Molly Appleton is a senior journalist at The Examiner, having formerly worked at The Advocate as a news and sports reporter. She brings a passion for storytelling and knowledge of Tasmania across the three major regions. For any story ideas contact her on 0448 184 160.
