12 FIRMS HIT IN CRIMEWAVE
Police probe break-in spree over five days
Twelve businesses across East Kilbride were targeted by thieves during a five-day mini crimewave.
Four businesses in the Murray Square were hit overnight on Thursday followed by a unit in the Kelvin Industrial Estate and, overnight on Saturday, two shops in Mossneuk and three commercial premises in College Milton Industrial Estate were robbed. Two Village businesses were ransacked on Monday night.
The worst-hit were The Optical Factory, Wrights the Butchers and Artisan Buon Giorno Bakery where three-figure sums of cash, designer valuables and stock were all taken during raids.
Optical Factory boss Sean Walls told the News: “It’s a horrible feeling knowing someone has been in there.”
Police are hunting a male suspect caught on CCTV at the College Milton and have not ruled out a link between the break-ins.
Inspector Aidan Higgins said: “I encourage all business owners to review their building security and make gaining entry as difficult as possible.”
A prominent local business owner says he feels “violated” after a callous thief raided his store.
The Optical Factory was one of 12 East Kilbride businesses targeted during an alarming mini-crimewave over a fiveday period.
As the hunt for the perpetrators continues, East Kilbride police inspector Aidan Higgins is calling on all commercial property owners to tighten their security measures.
Devastated owner Sean Walls said the alarm was raised at his College Milton store at 8.30am on Mother’s Day morning.
“It’s not a nice thing to have to wake up to,” he said.
“Police told me from the CCTV images they could see someone had gotten inside my unit and two others through a panel on the roof.
“One of the units has an external camera so I’m confident we will get him as there are quite clear images of him.
“A large amount of cash and about 25 pairs of Tiffany and Oakley glasses were stolen, along with two laptops and the drawers were cleared out.”
He added: “It’s a horrible feeling knowing someone has been in there, you feel violated. It’s also a real inconvenience to deal with – they left such a mess. I really don’t need this hassle.
“Hopefully the police will catch the culprit soon and save other businesses from having to go through this.”
Euro Fresh Food Distribution and Mondo were also broken into in the College Milton under the cover of darkness on Saturday. A set of car keys were nicked from Mondo.
The suspect observed on CCTV was a male wearing a blue tammy hat, grey jacket, blue jeans and a backpack.
Raiders struck again on Monday night ransacking Wrights the Butchers and Artisan Buon Giorno Bakery in the Village.
Wrights owner Stephen Sheriff told the News he was “gutted” when he discovered his trashed shop. The till had been emptied of hundreds of pounds, six charity tins and a laptop were stolen, along with a sentimental designer watch worth thousands of pounds.
And around £400 cash was taken from the till, tip jar and charity boxes in the Hunter Street bakery. Owner Suzanne Neilly said she got the “fright of her life”, describing the robberies as “scandalous”.
There were more break-ins overnight on Friday, this time at The Style Studio and Scotmid on Severn Road, Mossneuk.
Sashsells Windows in the Kelvin Industrial Estate was also broken into that night and robbed of tools after a thief gained access by removing a window from a door frame.
Meanwhile, overnight on Thursday, Murray Square shops Snoop Dogs, Don’t Eat the Daisies, The Chip Shop and Sandwich Express were all targeted.
A small amount of cash was taken from Snoop Dogs pet groomers after access was gained through a window.
Damage was caused to roller shutters at the rear of the chippie when someone attempted to force them open.
Rear doors at the flower and sandwich shops were tried but no access was gained.
A suspect spotted in the area at the time is described as male, 6ft 2in tall, of medium build and was wearing dark clothing and a beanie hat.
Police said inquiries are ongoing and did not rule out a link between the spate of weekend break-ins across the town.
Inspector Higgins said: “Quite a few break-ins to commercial premises have been reported over the weekend. Police are investigating and we will be reviewing CCTV and carrying out forensic investigations.
“I encourage all business owners to review their building security and make gaining entry as difficult as possible to any would be thief. Reliable locks, CCTV, security lighting and alarms all make a difference.
“Anyone with any information as to who could be responsible or who observed anyone acting suspicious around commercial property please contact police on 101.”