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Daily Record
Daily Record
National
Jon Brady

Dim-witted Scots car thieves realise they've been caught on camera in home CCTV clip

Two bungling thieves were caught on camera making off with a handbag and car keys stolen from a Scots house - moments before stealing the family's car.

The two men made their way into the home of Chrissy and Robert Gray in Arbroath in the early hours of Sunday morning, as the unaware couple sat upstairs watching a film. They snatched Chrissy's handbag, containing her purse, credit cards and family photos, and the keys to her red Honda Civic.

It was only on leaving the property that the burglars realised they had been captured by a Ring video doorbell, which recorded them leaving the house, clutching Chrissy's handbag. One of the thieves points out the doorbell and remarks: "Oh s***, they've got a camera."

His companion then spins round, giving the tiny lens a good look at his face. The pair then try to hide their mugs and walk down the driveway, before making off with Chrissy's car.

Speaking to the Record, Robert said the thieves "weren't the brightest". He added: "We didn't hear a thing. We'd left the back door open as the dog wasn't well and we were letting her in and out a lot.

The thieves clock the Ring doorbell camera - but it's too late to hide (supplied)

"I went to the shop the next morning and only realised as I came back that the car wasn't parked outside. I said to my wife, 'Has your car been nicked?' as a joke - but right enough, the car wasn't there.

"The doorbell has a sensor that picked them up coming in and going away, but it didn't get them leaving with the car unfortunately. They had a look over my motorbike but the key was upstairs with me.

"They grabbed her handbag, which had her purse in, and her car keys, and took the newer better car. We reported it to the police at about 9am and they came round at about 3pm - they said there had been people going right round Arbroath.

"I don't think they were awful bright. No intelligence there at all. You can hear them talking and they both look at the doorbell, right down the lens. Hopefully we can get them caught."

The thieves cover their faces but it's too late (supplied)

Chrissy, who has been forced to cancel all of her bank cards, added: "Apparently a few people around here had their Ring doorbells activated by people going into their gardens. I'm just glad there was no cash in my purse - who carries cash anymore? But my purse had photos of the kids, which I am gutted about."

The Grays have asked people to keep an eye out for the red Honda Civic, registration SP69 OJD. Police are investigating the theft.

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: "Around 9.20 am on Sunday, 7 August, 2022, police were called to a report that a car had been stolen from Demondale Road, Arbroath overnight. Enquiries into the theft are continuing."

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