Smash, crash and grab thieves hunted
Reckless thieves smashed through a brick wall and crashed into a car in a quiet village street as they raced off in a stolen van.
Cops are hunting the crooks who nicked the grey Ford Transit from a driveway in Woodside Avenue, Bridge of Weir, in the early hours of Tuesday morning.
It ploughed into another car in the drive and then through a small wall before speeding off from the scene.
The other vehicle was left with extensive damage to its wing.
Neighbours saw the van leaving the street at around 5am, but assumed the owner was driving.
The 40- year- old owner discovered it was missing and saw the damage caused at around 8.30am and alerted cops.
He took to social media to alert others to the theft and encourage anyone who might have seen his van to get in touch.
He said: “Thieves stole my van from my dad’s place in Bridge of Weir at around 5am on Tuesday morning.
“Drove it through a hedge and small wall and damaged his car in the process.
“Keep your eyes open.”
Police are now appealing for witnesses to come forward.
Inspector Kayley Teasdale, from Johnstone, Renfrew and the villages community policing team, said: “We are investigating the theft of a grey Ford Transit van from Woodside Avenue, Bridge of Weir, in the early hours of Tuesday morning.
“Damage was caused to a wall and another vehicle as the van was driven away.
“We have established the van was taken at around 5am and we would urge anyone who may have information or witnessed what happened to come forward.
“Although at that time it is likely to have been very quiet, I would ask dog walkers or perhaps taxi drivers who may have been in the area to consider whether they saw the van at all.”
Anyone with information should call police on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.