BERKELEY -- Posing as mother and son, a pair of crafty thieves has been rifling though real estate open houses in the Bay Area, stealing wallets, credit cards and money, Berkeley police revealed Thursday.

Authorities identified the male bandit as Paul McClung, 30, and issued an arrest warrant on theft, fraud and impersonating a police officer charges.

According to Berkeley police, McClung ordinarily is in the company of a Caucasian woman in her 50's and is driving a dark blue four-door late model Jaguar with a light colored interior.

The two claim to be mother and son -- potential buyers wishing to buy homes for cash. While the woman distracts the realtor with conversation, McClung strikes -- prowling the home or office for purses and wallets to steal.

During a recent open house visit, McClung made off with the badge of a former City of Santa Barbara police officer and is now believed to be impersonating him.

The couple has been spotted at open houses in Berkeley as recent as last weekend.

Berkeley detectives told members of the general public not approach McClung. Instead, call 911 or (510) 981-5911 from your cell.