Police recover vehicles linked to ATM theft from shop

Police have recovered two vehicles believed to have been used in the theft of a cash machine from a shop in Aberdeenshire.

The ATM was taken during a break-in at the Scotmid store on Craigour Road in the village of Torphins.

It was recovered nearby, as were a dark Ford Galaxy and a gold Chrysler Voyager which are believed to have been involved in the incident in the early hours of Thursday morning.

A red Manitou telehandler vehicle which had been stolen from a Torphins building site earlier in the night was abandoned at the scene during the incident, which happened at around 1.30am.

Police are urgently trying to trace a blue Mini One, with the registration number SB63 XDJ, which was also stolen from the Torphins area overnight and asked anyone with information to contact them.

Detective Inspector Fionnuala McPhail said: “I continue to appeal to anyone with information relating to this incident either before, during or afterwards to get in touch as soon as possible if you haven’t spoken to the police yet.

“We are particularly interested in establishing the movements of a gold Chrysler and dark Galaxy people carrier as well as receiving any information about the individuals involved.

“Some degree of planning and organisation obviously went into committing this crime, however the resulting attempt was crude.

“While our investigation continues I would ask all retailers who have ATM machines not to panic but to use this as an opportunity to ensure you have appropriate security measures in place.

“The north east is a low crime area but it doesn’t mean criminals won’t come into our communities and take advantage of the law-abiding people who live and work in them.”

She also thanked those who captured footage at the scene during the break-in, though she stressed police would never encourage anyone to put themselves in harm’s way.

She added: “I must commend the brave attempt of one woman in particular who put her own safety to one side to take pictures of the incident taking place.

“From reviewing the footage available to us I don’t believe that those involved in this crime intended on causing any harm to a person, however this lady wasn’t to know this at the time. I am just extremely thankful that no-one was injured.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact police, quoting reference number 0184 of February 28, or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where anonymity can be maintained.