Police probe spate of car thefts

Police have launched an investigation following a spate of car thefts in the northern corridor area of North Lanarkshire.

A number of high-value vehicles have been stolen from properties throughout the area and police have not ruled out the possibility that a car theft gang is operating in the area.

At around 4am last Monday morning, thieves targeted a home on Whitehill Farm Road, Stepps, where they grabbed designer clothes and jewellery before driving off in stolen cars. The robbery — thought to total at around £80,000 — took place while the home owners were in bed sleeping.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The culprits gained access to the house through an open downstairs window.

Police say they are pursuing the theory that a group of individuals are ‘working together towards a common goal’.

A police spokesman said: “There have been a number of high-value car thefts in the area and we are working under the assumption that they are being orchestrated by a team of individuals working throughout central Scotland.

“With organised crime people conjure up the image of gangsters, drugs and violence. That’s not quite the case here, but there is definitely a group of people who are working together towards a common goal.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

A total of 10 vehicles, with a combined value of £152,000, were taken from homes in North Lanarkshire recently.

On July 2, a Mazda was taken from outside a property in Dunellan Way, Moodiesburn, while a Mini Cooper and a BMW Z4 were snatched from a home on Lochearnhead Road, Stepps.

The following night, a Jaguar XF Sport was also stolen from a property in Dunellen Place, Moodiesburn.

In all of these cases the culprits gained entry to the properties via windows or back doors to steal car keys.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Constable Davy Cumming, community liaison officer with North Lanarkshire police, has warned all residents to remain vigilant and to protect their property at all times.

He said: “We would like to remind members of the public to keep car keys and other valuables safely secured and out of sight within their homes.

Homeowners should always ensure that they have their property secure and to double check all windows and doors are locked.”

Anyone with any information can call Police Scotland on 101.