Manhunt underway for heartless North Sydney funeral thief. Can you help police?

By ANNA USHER

A manhunt is underway for a heartless thief who stole a mourner’s handbag at a funeral in North Sydney.

The shocking act occurred during a church service at St Mary’s Catholic Church on Miller St, around 11:30am on February 1.

Resident Julie Furlong told Mosman Collective that following the service, she placed her white clutch on a side table containing her mobile phone, drivers’ licence, credit cards, gym membership and about $80 in cash.

“I was assisting the grieving family and placed my handbag down to gather up things that were being transported to the Wake,” Ms Furlong said.

“Around 11:45am, I went to retrieve my bag and discovered it was missing.”

Ms Furlong, with the help of fellow church-goers, conducted a thorough search of the sacred space and enquired at the office to see if the purse had been handed in.

“It soon became apparent that my bag had been stolen,” she said.

“Luckily, my son and his friends were also at the Funeral, and they swung into action very quickly.”

Using the “Find My Friends” app, Ms Furlong’s son could see his mother’s handbag moving towards Falcon St.

“We followed the signal and eventually reached the corner of West and Carlow St, where the phone suddenly
 stopped moving.”

Ms Furlong said the search party then enquired at nearby cafes, knocked on doors, and even searched bushes, “however, no one could find the handbag.”

“Then, on a whim, my son decided to try to look inside a post box – and managed to take a photo by placing his phone through the letter slot.”

WATCH: Do you recognise this man?

Incredibly, the image revealed Ms Furlong’s missing handbag.

A nearby business provided CCTV footage of a man believed to be in his mid-50s and wearing a suit, dumping the handbag into the post box.

It is believed the opportunistic thief posed as a mourner to avoid suspicion inside St Mary’s church.

“To think somebody could take advantage of people at such a distressing and sad time is sickening,” Ms Furlong said.

“How could anybody steal a handbag at a funeral?”

“This man was very well dressed and knew he wouldn’t attract any attention because it was a large gathering.”

North Sydney Police are continuing their enquiries. Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.