Police hunt gang after ram raids in Cleland and Shotts

Feb 18 2010 by George Topp, Hamilton Advertiser

police hunt ram raid gang

A LAND ROVER stolen in Shotts was used by thieves to smash into a convenience store during a ram raid in the village of Cleland last week.

Twenty-four hours later, the gang used the same vehicle in a similar raid on a store in Forth.

Although the robberies caused extensive damage to the buildings’ exteriors, the bungling robbers only managed to steal a quantity of cigarettes in the Cleland raid and nothing in the Forth robbery.

The incident in Cleland took place at the Scotmid store in the village’s Main Street at 3am on Thursday, February 11, with the Forth smash and grab occurring 24 hours later at the local Co-op.

The vehicle used in the raids was a distinctive red Land Rover Defender with a white roof, which had been stolen from a property in Shotts last Wednesday night.

Police believe the vehicle was targeted because its robust frame means it’s suited to this type of crime.

The 4x4 was deliberately driven into the front of the Scotmid and the two occupants of the car then stole a quantity of cigarettes from the store before making off in the vehicle towards Bellside Road.

An almost identical procedure was carried out by the thieves during the early hours of the following morning, 12 miles away in Forth.

However, on this occasion, the thieves left empty-handed after the Land Rover became embedded in the shopfront. A stunned eye-witness watched the thieves escape in a light-coloured car.

Detective Inspector John Lamb of Wishaw Police Office said: “Enquiries are at an early stage to trace those responsible. The vehicle is now in police possession and forensic examinations are being undertaken.

“In addition, officers are currently studying CCTV footage in an effort to gather further details on these incidents.

“I would appeal to anyone who has information regarding these crimes to come forward to police as a matter of urgency. Anyone with information that may assist police enquiries should contact Wishaw CID on (01698) 202600. Alternatively Crimestoppers can be contacted on 0800 555 111, where anonymity can be maintained.”