Ananova:

Police are hunting two thieves after one stole a purse from an elderly woman while his accomplice pretended to be a dog.

Police in Stockton-on-Tees say it was one of the most unusual distraction burglaries they've ever encountered.

The two men barged into a house owned by a brother and sister in their nineties just after midday on Saturday, reports local ITV news.

One of the thieves then dropped to his knees and started to bark like a dog and crawl around on all fours.

Police say while the shocked 90-year-old woman and her brother, 93, looked on in disbelief, the second man grabbed the woman's purse and the pair ran off.