Ron Porter has lived in St Marys Lane, Upminster for 48 years and has used the pathway through Upminster Park as a route to go shopping in town for many years.
On Tuesday (September 9) at around 1.45pm, Ron said he was approached by a woman from behind.
He told the Recorder: “She put her arm on my shoulder and then came to the front of me and put her other arm on my other shoulder.
“She started talking to me about Madonna – I don’t know if she was talking about the singer or referring to the Virgin Mary.
“She said a few words, then said goodbye and she was gone.
“I walked a few steps and then wondered why she had her arms around my neck – then I thought about my gold medallion chain and realised it was gone.
“It was like a hug – it was all over within 10 seconds.”
Ron said he walked back towards St Marys Lane but could not see the woman anywhere.
She did not cover her face and Ron described her as black, around 5’6 and in her mid-20s.
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“She took the chain off my neck but I never felt it go,” said Ron.
“It was sentimental to me – it was a medallion with St Christopher on it – my wife bought it for me around 50 years ago.
“I rang the police straight away and I have to praise them because they were here within 12 minutes.
“They took me for a ride around but we couldn’t see her.”
Ron said that he no longer feels as safe in Upminster as he used to.
A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said: “Police were called at 1.48pm on Tuesday, September 9 following a report of robbery in Upminster.
“Officers attended the scene after an 84-year-old man reported a woman had just robbed his gold medallion from around his neck when he was in Brookdale Close, Upminster Park.
“No injuries were reported and no arrests have as yet been made.”
Police urged anyone who may have witnessed the incident or has information to call police on 101 quoting the reference number 4109/9Sep.
