The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Stolen jackets may be fenced online
Bosses at an independent Perth mountaineering shop have urged customers to look out for top-of-the-range jackets which were stolen at the weekend being put up for sale online.
Thieves were caught on CCTV breaking into Craigdon Mountain Sports in the early hours of Saturday.
The raiders helped themselves to a handful of valuable winter jackets from the Scott Street shop before making off.
Bosses posted images of the thieves breaking through the store’s front door which were captured on security footage.
The smashed door panel has now been boarded up by staff.
Management say they were saddened by the raid and pleaded with followers to keep an eye out for the pilfered goods being sold on online.
The post said: “Sadly we were broken into in the early hours of Saturday morning.
“If anyone notices any Rab or Mountain Equipment jackets on any online platforms please let us know.
“Running an independent high street retail business these days is pretty challenging.
“Running a retail business in a pandemic lockdown is pretty much impossible.
“However, I love the mountains and love my job. This will only make that stronger.”
Police launched a formal investigation and were sent the CCTV footage to analyse.
Officers were unable to put a value on the stolen goods.
A spokesperson said: “Around 11.05am on Saturday January 23, officers were called to a report of a break-in and theft from a shop on Scott Street, Perth.
“Police inquiries are ongoing and anyone with information should contact 101 quoting reference number 1304 of January 23.”
City centre councillor Andrew Parrott described the break-in as “deplorable” and believes thieves are seeing the current lockdown measures as an opportunity.
Last week, police reported that nocturnal thieves were lucky to leave alive after trying to steal cabling from an empty exmod base at Balado.
Mr Parrott said: “Those of ill will are looking at the current circumstances as presenting an opportunity for exploitation.
“Now we are relying on Police Scotland to do their damnedest to apprehend the thieves.
“There is no place for thievery at the best of times and those responsible should be held accountable.”
Craigdon has been selling ski equipment and outdoor clothing for decades in Perth.
In 2015, the business became fully independent as part of a management buyout which meant the store was in local ownership.
Craigdon Mountain Sports moved to its current home in 2019, moving along from its previous base on the same street.
The company also has stores in Inverness, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Inverurie.
Those responsible should be held accountable