Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser

Knifepoint robberies

Cops probe trio of attacks

- Ian Bunting

Three horrified Airdrie residents were left stricken after being robbed in their own homes at knifepoint during a weekend of terror.

Two of the distressed victims had their cars stolen by the brazen thugs, who struck at properties in Greengairs and Plains during the early hours of Saturday and Sunday.

Police are now looking for members of the public to come forward with informatio­n that could help them trace the blade- wielding thieves as investigat­ions into their whereabout­s continue.

Monklands detectives are appealing for witnesses after knife-wielding thugs carried out three terrifying, earlymorni­ng robberies in Airdrie at the weekend.

The first took place around 6.20am on Saturday when two men broke into a house in Hillrigg, Greengairs, and threatened a 30-year-old man with a knife. The pair then made off with the householde­r’s Volkswagen Golf vehicle.

The second robbery took place just after 7am on Sunday, when three male intruders broke into a house in Killearn Crescent, Plains, and threatened a 43-year-old woman with a knife. The trio made off empty-handed.

However, just minutes later the three broke into a house in Orchill Drive, Plains, and threatened a 56-year-old man with a knife.

They made off in a Mercedes C-class car which was found abandoned a short time later the village’s Main Street.

The vehicle is currently undergoing a full forensic examinatio­n.

The only descriptio­n of the suspects is that they were wearing dark coloured clothing and enquiries are ongoing.

Detective Inspector Cammy Miller of Coatbridge police office told the Advertiser: “Thankfully none of the victims of these robberies have received any injuries, however they are extremely distressed and the men responsibl­e must be caught.

“Extensive enquiries are ongoing to gather more informatio­n and officers have been carrying out enquiries in the Airdrie area, and officers are gathering and studying CCTV footage.

“It is likely that these three robberies are linked and I would urge anyone who may have been in the areas around the times of these robberies, who saw anything suspicious, to come forward.

“I am also appealing to anyone who may have any informatio­n of knowledge about these incidents, or the suspects to please contact us as soon as possible.

“Informatio­n should be passed to Coatbridge police office through 101, quoting reference number 1082 of 14 May.

“Alternativ­ely Crimestopp­ers can be contacted on 0800 555 111, where anonymity can be maintained.”

 ??  ?? Break-in The house on Killearn Crescent was one of two Plains properties targeted
Break-in The house on Killearn Crescent was one of two Plains properties targeted
 ??  ?? Terrifying A 56-year-old man was threatened with a knife at the Orchill Drive home
Terrifying A 56-year-old man was threatened with a knife at the Orchill Drive home
 ??  ?? Crime spree The robberies began in Hillrigg, Greengairs
Crime spree The robberies began in Hillrigg, Greengairs

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