A gang of masked thieves have been caught on camera stealing more than £20,000 worth of tools during an eight minute raid. Owner Richard Dufton has been left devastated after his tool hire firm in Newbridge, near Edinburgh, was targeted by the three raiders late on Sunday night.
The 36-year-old's security app on his mobile phone alerted him to a break-in at the premises while he was at home with his family. CCTV footage captured the moment the thieves arrived at the scene in a silver Mazda van while the industrial unit’s alarm blared in the background.
Members of the gang were then seen entering the office and rummaging around before leaving to continue noisily loading up the getaway vehicle. Finally, the crooks were filmed driving away from the scene at speed just minutes before police arrived.
Richard told how the stolen goods were effectively the “life-savings” of him and his business partner Colin Thomson, who are offering a cash reward for help to find the culprits.
The ToolboxHire.com co-owner Richard said: “I was sitting with my family on Sunday night when the alarm app started pinging away on my phone, which sometimes happens if one of us goes in and pushes the wrong button. I looked at the camera and I could see a van.
“I was trying to see whether it was my business partner maybe collecting something but then I could hear rattling all the tools into the back of their van. I called the police straight away and headed down there.
“By the time I got there, the police had arrived but the thieves were away and the whole place was open, the alarm was still ringing and the shelves were empty. I’d say they’ve taken about 95 per cent of our inventory.
“The business is technically sort of closed. We do have the odd tools here and there but nothing like we did have. It’s just a bit unnerving that it was that easy for someone to go in and take all your hard work in just eight minutes.
“This is like life-savings for me and my business partner. It’s between £20,000 to £25,000 worth of tools. We’re two guys, giving it a whirl and trying to create something.”
Items stolen include a variety of different saws, a range of DeWalt tools, nail guns, hoovers, carpet cleaners and batteries, all of which have been tagged with SmartWater markings.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “We received a report of a break-in to a premises on Turnhouse Court, Newbridge, around 10.35pm on Sunday, 12 February, 2023.
“Entry was gained and a number of tools were taken from within.
“Enquiries are ongoing and anyone with any information is asked to contact 101 quoting incident 3823 of 12 February, 2023.”
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