Cops hunt dopey duo who tried to steal van twice
Crooks targeted vehicle then fled empty handed
Cops are hunting two hapless crooks who tried to break into the same van twice in one night.
The useless tag team were chased off by the owner of the Ford Transit but returned just hours later for a second try, but again, fled empty handed.
It is understood they first attempted to break into the motor, which was parked in High Calside in Paisley at around 10pm on Wednesday night, but were disturbed and ran off.
When the police arrived they were long gone.
However, the duo shamelessly headed back to the street to try their luck a second time at around 12.40am.
When the cops turned up they jumped into a nearby car and sped off with police in pursuit.
After a short high-speed chase, the pair bailed out of the vehicle and took off on foot.
Police are now looking to trace the pair, who are described as wearing dark clothing.
Inspector Tracy Harkins, from Paisley’s community policing team, said: “Police were called twice to reports of two males trying to gain access to a Ford Transit van in Paisley’s High Calside Road.
“The first incident took place at around 10pm on Wednesday evening and the second was a short time later, at 12.40am, in the early hours of Thursday morning.
“Police attended on both occasions.
“On the second occasion they made off in a car and officers pursued them.
“However, they bailed out from the car and made good their escape.
“I would ask anyone who may have saw or heard anything suspicious or who may have any information to contact police.”
A Police Scotland spokeswoman said a 55-year-old man had been arrested in connection with attempted theft charges and a report had been sent to the procurator fiscal.
If you have any information you should contact police on 101.