Bikes worth £20k stolen from farm
Mountain and e-bike taken from outbuildings
Two bikes were stolen from farm outbuildings at Rait on Monday night.
Between them, the missing new e-bike and mountain bike were calculated by the owner to be worth around £20,000.
The theft happened between 9pm on Monday, May 29 and 6am on Tuesday, May 30.
Owner Sandy Knight, director of a grain handling business, told the PA that entry was gained through the locked door of one of the outbuildings on the farm.
“They forced the door with crowbar or something similar”, Sandy explained. “Security lights had been damaged and cables pulled out.
“Nothing else was touched including many expensive petrol garden tools.
“They took two bikes, a conventional mountain bike and also a new e-bike, in total worth approximately £20,000.”
Police have been told of the theft. Mr Knight is convinced this was a planned, targeted crime.
“We live in a very rural location around half a mile from the nearest neighbour and at the end of a long private road, fields surround us on all sides,” he added.
“No noise was made as the dogs didn’t hear anything nor did the five of us who were indoors.
“This was a very well thought out, planned and well executed theft as they knew what outbuilding to target and what was in there. No other buildings were disturbed.
“We suspect this has been planned for a while and we have been watched.”
The public are asked to note the pictures of the two stolen bikes - a grey 22 Heckler e-bike and a black 21 Megatower mountain bike with red forks, both marked ‘Santa Cruz’ and be on guard for criminal activity as there could be attempts to sell them on. Anyone with information for the police should quote ref 832 of May 30, 2023.