Police appeal for witnesses following spate of break-ins

Police in Oban are appealing for information following a series of break-ins to commercial properties.

The incidents are believed to have occurred in the early hours of Sunday March 15.

A shop in Benderloch was broken into and a five-figure sum of cigarettes and alcohol was stolen from the premises.

A café in Barcaldine was broken into and a three-figure sum of cash was stolen. Another shop in the same village was broken into, however, nothing was stolen.

There was also a break-in at a garage in Appin. A Black Ford Ranger, registration number SY18 ZST, was stolen, along with tools and a four-figure sum of cash.

Enquiries into the incidents are ongoing and detectives are keeping an open mind as to whether they are connected.

CCTV enquiries show a male suspect in the area of the café in Barcaldine. He is described as white, aged 20-30 and around 6 ft in height. He was wearing a high visibility jacket, skip cap with a black snood partially covering his face.

Detective Constable Alasdair Dewar said: ‘I am appealing to anyone who was in Benderloch, Barcaldine and Appin in the early hours of Sunday March 15 to get in touch if they saw or heard anything suspicious.

‘The male suspect seen in Barcaldine was wearing a high visibility vest so it is possible he may have been trying to pose as an official workman.

‘Cigarettes, alcohol and garage tools were stolen so it is likely the person responsible will try to sell these on in the next few days. If someone approaches you offering to sell any of these items, please let police know.

‘The Black Ford Ranger remains missing. If anyone has seen this vehicle, please report this to the police.

‘I would also ask anyone who may have been driving in any of these areas in the early hours of this morning to review their dashcam footage and report anything which may be of use to us.’

Information about these incidents can be provided to local officers or to Police Scotland via 101, quoting reference number 0871 of March 15. If anyone wishes to remain anonymous, contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.