Last month a theft took place at an address in Afton Terrace during which the homeowner disturbed a male intruder in his house.
Following extensive enquiries police traced and interviewed a man who was subsequently charged with a number of offences including serious assault. He is due to appear at court today.
Gunman last seen in Pilton Drive North
Police are appealing for witnesses following yesterday’s armed robbery at a city centre jewellers. Investigations are ongoing into the raid at Frederick Street jewellers Laing, but some further details have emerged.
A man entered the jewellers at around 9.30 with a handgun and threatened staff before making off made off with twelve to fifteen high value Rolex watches with a value of up to £100,000.
No members of staff were injured during the armed robbery, but all were shaken during a terrifying ordeal. The shop remained closed all day while investigations continued but is expected to open again this morning.
The man fled from the scene and ran along Rose Street, Rose Street Lane and into Hanover Street. He attempted to hijack a black taxi, then a delivery van without success before making his escape in a private hire saloon car. He forced the driver – who also had a passenger in his vehicle – to take him to the Pilton.
Detective inspector Grant Johnston said: “The suspect was followed by a member of staff from Frederick Street into Rose Street and then into Rose Street Lane where we believe he may have tried to get into a black cab and may have exchanged words with a van driver.
“Following that he got into a private hire taxi that had a fare in the back. He threatened the driver with a gun and he demanded that the driver take him to the north side of Edinburgh where he got out in Pilton Drive North. That’s the last sighting of him, leaving the taxi.”
The armed robber was last seen when he got out of the vehicle in Pilton Drive North on the corner of Royston Mains Crescent.
He is described as male, white, early 30s, 5ft 10inches tall, wearing a dark padded hooded jacket, blue trousers, blue and white scarf and carrying a black and white rucksack.
Anyone who can assist police with their ongoing enquiries is asked to come forward. Detective Sergeant Raymond Gray said: “This robbery left the staff badly shaken but thankfully unhurt.
“We are keen to hear from anyone who may have seen the man, or has information about the crime, so that we can trace him as soon as possible.
“I would ask those with information to contact police immediately on 101.”
An armed robber is believed to have hijacked a taxi and taken it to Pilton after robbing a city centre jewellers at gunpoint this morning.
The man entered Laing the jewellers in Frederick Street at 9.30. He brandished a handgun and threatened staff before stealing a number of high value items – the jeweller specialises in high-end, expensive watches.
The thief then ran along Rose Street and into Hanover Street where he is understood to have hijacked a private hire car.
The cab driver was ordered to drive to the north of the city – it’s thought that there may have been a passenger may inside the taxi at the time of the hijack but police have yet to confirm the reports.
The suspect was last seen when he got out of the vehicle on the corner of in Pilton Drive North and Royston Mains Crescent.
The man is described as white, in his early 30s and 5ft 10in tall. He was wearing a dark padded hooded jacket, blue trousers and a blue and white scarf and was carrying a black and white rucksack.
Police are appealing for witnesses. Detective Sergeant Raymond Gray said: “This robbery left the staff badly shaken but thankfully unhurt.
We are keen to hear from anyone who may have seen the man, or has information about the crime, so that we can trace him as soon as possible.”
Anyone with information should call Police Scotland on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
‘May be link’ to nearby petrol station robbery
Police are appealing for witnesses following an attempted armed robbery at a bookmakers in Ferry Road last night. The incident occurred at around 6.30pm at a Scotbet bookmakers.
The male suspect approached the counter with a handgun. He handed the member of staff a note, demanding they hand over money. The member of staff refused to hand over any money and the suspect ran out of the shop empty-handed.
The suspect is described as a white man in his mid 40’s, around 5ft 5″ with a slender build. He was wearing a black hat, which peaks at the top, waterproof black gloves, a khaki green jacket, dark jeans with faded patches and notable turn ups and brown ankle boots.
Police believe the incident may be linked to a previous armed robbery, which occurred at a petrol station on Ferry Road on Sunday 18 January. That robbery was successful, with a three-figure sum stolen.
Detective Sergeant Lynsey Thomson said: “While this robbery was unsuccessful, this incident was very distressing for the member of staff and we are keen to trace the suspect as soon as possible.
“We also believe that this incident may be linked to a previous incident the happened at a petrol station last week, also on Ferry Road (see below). Any witnesses who may have seen the suspect, or who recognise the description of him, are asked to come forward.”
Those with information can contact Police Scotland on 101 or through the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
£18,000 Rolex taken in raid
Two thieves who smashed a pawn shop window to steal an £18,000 watch from its display are being sought by police.
The raid on Duncanson & Edwards pawnbrokers and jewellers, on the corner of Queen Street and Frederick Street, happened at 4.45pm on Monday afternoon.
Staff were inside the shop when the window was smashed but no-one was injured during the incident.
The stolen watch was a Rolex yacht master II 18ct, in white gold.
The two men, thought to be in their 20s, ran off in the direction of Queen Street Gardens West.
The first thief is described as white, of slim build and between 5ft 10ins and 6ft 2ins tall. He was wearing dark/navy cotton tracksuit bottoms, a dark waist-length jacket and a dark beanie hat with a white horizontal line/motif.
The second thief was white, of slim build, about 5ft 10ins to 6ft 2ins tall, with short dark hair, dark beard with thin dark eyebrows, brown eyes and a round face.
If you think you may have witnesses the robbery or have any information call Police Scotland on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Police are appealing for witnesses following an armed robbery at a petrol station on Ferry Road last night.
The incident occurred at around 10pm when a man entered the premises brandishing a handgun. He threatened the lone member of staff and left with three-figure amount of cash.
The man left on foot, travelling towards Ferry Road. However it unknown what direction he traveled along Ferry Road. The member of staff was not injured as a result of the robbery. Police are now eager to trace the male suspect who was responsible for the incident.
He is described as a white man, aged between 35 and 45-years-old. He has a slim build and a ginger/greying goatee and moustache.
He was wearing a black-hooded top, blue jeans, a brown ¾ length jacket and tab ankle boots. He may have possibly been wearing a grey checked scarf and black gloves and have been carrying a brown leather bag.
Detective Inspector Grant Johnston said:”Thankfully the member of staff was uninjured during this incident, however this was an we are keen to trace the suspect as soon as possible.
“We would ask members of the public to get in touch if they remember seeing anything they believe was connected to the incident in or around the Ferry Road area last night.
“Anyone who can help us identify the man responsible for this robbery is also asked to contact police immediately.”
Those with information can contact Police Scotland on 101 or alternatively, the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Police probe possible link with robbery at nearby Gregg’s
Police in Edinburgh have launched an investigation after three men robbed a supermarket in Granton on Wednesday afternoon (10 December).
The incident happened at Iceland on West Granton Road around 5.15pm, when the first suspect approached the till with an item to buy. He indicated to the two other suspects, and one of these men reached over and grabbed a three-figure sum of cash from the till.
The three suspects ran from the store in the direction of West Granton Road.
This incident comes after a similar robbery at Gregg’s Bakery on Crewe Road North on Tuesday, around 3pm, which may be linked.
All three suspects are described as white, and around 26 to 27 years old.
The first suspect is described as 5ft 10 in tall, stocky build, wearing a dark coloured hoody, black scarf over his lower face, dark joggers, and white Nike trainers.
The second suspect is described as slim build and wearing a dark hoody, with grey hoody underneath, grey joggers, blue sandshoes.
The third suspect, who took the cash from the till, is described as slim build, gaunt face, and wearing a dark coloured hoody with hood up and grey hoody underneath, dark joggers, light coloured trainers.
Detective Sergeant Lynsey Thomson said: “This robbery was distressing for those who were in the supermarket at the time, and we are keen to hear from anyone who was on West Granton Road around 5.15pm who may have information that can assist. We believe there may be a connection to the robbery at Greggs bakery in Pilton on Tuesday, and if anyone recognises the description of the suspects, they are urged to contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
It may be the season of goodwill, but Police Scotland would like to remind the public that not everyone has goodness in their heart …
Over recent months, there has been an increase in adverts on social media selling sites advertising high price mobile phones.
This scheme requires the victim to forward their mobile phone and a sum of money, in return a new high value mobile phone will be dispatched to you.
The truth is that no mobile phone arrives and you have lost your original phone and a sum of money.
Whilst not trying to undermine the entrepreneurism of sellers, Police Scotland would like to remind the general public that although many use social selling sites safely, use caution in any transaction they intend becoming involved in and do not provide bank details or send any high value items or cash to sellers in advance.
If anyone has any information about the incident they are encouraged to contact Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111
or online at http://www.crimestoppers-uk.org/
No personal details are taken, information is not traced or recorded and you will not go to court.
Police have appealed for witnesses after a teenager was assaulted and robbed on Blackhall cycle path on Wednesday evening.
The 16 year old youth was walking home and joined the cycle path at Wester Coates Terrace when he saw three males standing at the bridge area. He was approached by the trio who then grabbed and punched him to the head and face before stealing his mobile phone and rucksack.
Officers are urging anyone who can assist with their enquiries to come forward.
The first suspect is described as white, late teens, 5ft 10ins tall with a skinny build, gaunt face and a short dark hair. He was wearing a read and white ‘snood’, dark cotton tracksuit, black gloves and spoke with a local accent.
The second and third suspects are both described as white, in their late teens, around 5ft 11ins tall with slim builds and wearing dark cotton tracksuits.
All three wore their hoods up during the robbery.
Detective Constable Chris Harding said: “The young victim was not seriously injured as a result of this incident but is understandably upset at the theft of his belongings. Anyone who remembers seeing any suspicious activity on the cycle path on Wednesday evening is asked to contact police immediately.
“I would also ask that anyone who can help us identify the suspects or who has any other information relevant to our enquiry also gets in touch. Those with information can contact Police Scotland on 101 or call the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
Police are appealing for information following an armed robbery in Crewe Road South during the night. Four armed men wearing masks broke into a house just before 2am and attacked a terrified Chinese couple and their ten-year-old son. The raiders – who spoke with Scottish accents – escaped with a four-figure-sum of cash and jewellery.
Police are carrying out inquiries in the area and have increased high-visibility patrols in Craigleith.
Detective Chief Inspector Stuart Houston, who is leading the investigation, said: “The occupants of the house were awoken in the night to four masked intruders, who threatened them with a weapon and demanded cash. This was obviously a terrifying experience for them, and we are looking for any information to help us trace those responsible.
“I would be particularly keen to trace the drivers or occupants of any vehicles that were within the area at the time of the incident.
“We don’t have a clear description of the men as they were wearing masks, but they were all wearing dark clothing, and we are working to establish further details.”
If you have any information please call Police Scotland on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
