Police are appealing for witnesses following a spate of offences across the Scottish Lowlands, including an attempted ATM ram raid at a c-store in Lothian.
The incident happened at USave convenience store on New Row in the town of Tranent at around 2:40am on 8 February.
According to police, the shop front was extensively damaged while an attempt was made to steal the ATM. No money was stolen and those responsible made off empty-handed.
The incident followed a number of offences in the area, including break-ins at a Subway restaurant in Straiton, Butterfly and Insect World in Lasswade and K&I Coachworks in Dalkeith between 4.30am and 6.05am on 31 January. A four-figure sum of cash was stolen from Subway, while some electrical equipment was taken from K&I Coachworks.
Sometime between 2pm on 3 February and 3.20am on 4 February, two Mitsubishi L200 pick-ups were stolen from a business premises in West Calder, with at least one of the Mitsubishi L200 involved in the ATM ram raid.
Detective chief inspector, Paul Batten, said: “After the pick-up vehicles were stolen within West Calder, they have been used in the ram-raid offence in Tranent, resulting in significant damage to the store, though, thankfully, no loss of property or injury to any members of the public.
“We believe the same group of individuals responsible for these incidents are also responsible for the break-ins to businesses in Midlothian last week. As such, we are keen to hear from anyone with information that can help us identify these suspects and would ask that you contact police immediately if you have any relevant information.”
Anyone with information about the incidents should contact Lothian and Scottish Borders CID via 101 and quote incident number 670 of the 4th February (vehicle thefts) or incident number 269 of the 8th February (ram-raid). Alternatively, an anonymous report can be made to the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
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