Gang attempt to steal cars in Blantyre

Feb 4 2010 Hamilton Advertiser

POLICE in Blantyre have issued a warning to motorists after a group – believed to be part of a gang – tried to steal cars from a repair shop in the town.

The alarm was raised after a taxi driver saw three men trying to nick the vehicles from the shop in John Street, Blantyre, at around 5am on Saturday morning, January 30.

Four cars had been targeted in the botched theft – a Volkswagen Passat, two Ford Escorts and an Audi vehicle.

It is believed the thieves had been searching for keys to the vehicles inside the garage as there was damage to the outer padlock.

The neds had also spraypainted the floor with graffiti that said: “Springwells Young Tyre”.

A police source told the Advertiser that the taxi driver had been outside in his cab in the street that morning when he heard a door in the nearby coach yard bang and then heard the rattle of chains.

Several cars were parked in the yard and the cabbie decided to investigate.

Three male suspects were seen in and around the premises and, when the witness shouted at them, they fled.

The first suspect ran up John Street. He is described as around 5ft 8ins in height, with short dark-brown hair, and wearing a black jacket and jeans.

The second suspect, who ran to alert the third male, fled in the other direction. He is described as around 5ft 8ins tall and wearing a grey hooded top. He also wore white trainers.

The third would-be thief had short dark-brown hair, wore a black tracksuit, was around 6ft tall and of a thin build.

After the suspects had fled the scene, the witness phoned the police.

Elsewhere, in nearby Logan Street on the same date, a thief attempted to break into a Nissan Micra.

Cops say the suspect attempted to force their way into the passenger-side door by removing the rubber sealing.

The incident happened between 11pm on Friday, January 29, and 6.45am on Saturday, January 30.

Police have warned vehicle owners to vigilant of “opportunistic” thieves in the area.

A police spokesman said: “The real difficulty arises if a professional crook is determined to steal your vehicle but, in the majority of cases, cars are targeted because goods have been left on show for all to see.

“It can take criminals just a few minutes to create an expensive headache for motorists, but by taking some simple precautions, you could avoid becoming a victim.”

Motorists should:

l Remove the ignition key and never leave the vehicle unlocked.

l Not leave belongings on display.

l Remove vehicle documents.

l Take out all equipment, such as sat navs.

l Mark all equipment with the vehicle registration number.

l Buy a steering-wheel lock.

If anyone has any information about the attempted car thefts over the weekend, they should contact Blantyre Police Office on 202501.