THIEVES STRUCK FOR a second time over the Christmas holiday when a local Scotmid Co-Operative branch was raided in New Elgin this week.
The raid on the Thornhill Road shop in New Elgin was carried out by a masked and hooded man who smashed his way through the front door with a brick at around 1.30am on Boxing Day.
Police have appealed for information after the thief was caught on CCTV, taking around two minutes to smash his way through the door before making off with bottles of spirits.
The attack followed the unconnected break-in and theft of a charity box from the Brander Arms in Lossiemouth a week earlier. Following that raid, local investigating officer Constable Roy Cook said that it was believed the suspect used a large red holdall to carry away stolen items.
At New Elgin the raider is understood to have removed goods to the value of £60 – along with the cost of extensive damage to the shop’s glass door.
A police spokesman said: “We responded to information about a break-in that was ongoing at the property – the front door was damaged when we arrived and we carried out appropriate enquiries.”
Police are asking anyone with information on either incident to call 101 or through the Crimestoppers line on 0800 555 111.