An East Lothian fast food shop owner has trolled two brazen thieves that made off with a huge doormat during a visit on Monday afternoon.
Atif Ali shared footage of the pair looking like two ordinary punters at Pepe's Piri Piri in Musselburgh around 1pm on Monday, October 17, before one of them rolled up the mat in front of the counter and walked out the shop.
Taking to Facebook to share CCTV footage and pictures of the thieves, Atif asked locals for their help in obtaining more information, as well as reporting it to the police.
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Speaking to Edinburgh Live, the shop owner described the bizarre theft as a "mission impossible" attempt at robbing the premises that is located on the High Street in the East Lothian town.
A spokesperson for Police Scotland confirmed that enquiries into the incident are at an information gathering stage.
Hundreds of amused locals left comments mocking the pair on social media following Atif's appeal due to the brazenness and peculiar nature of the theft, taking a large dirty floor mat during broad daylight.
Atif added that no incidents of this nature have taken place in the store before. The footage shows one of the males, in a red jumper, get up and hover awkwardly next to the counter while the other, in a grey hoodie jumper, gets up and starts to roll it up.
The first male has the audacity to put their finished meals in the bin before both scarper along the street outside. Several references to Aladdin were made in the comments from those who saw the funny side of things, one saying: "Don't know the one on the left but the one on the right is Aladdin."
Another commented: "I know these logo mats must belong to the mat company and shops lease them. It costs a lot to replace," while a third said: "Check across the road to see if they're selling limited edition Pepe's carpets."
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: "Officers were called to a report of a theft from a restaurant in High Street, Musselburgh around 11.50pm on Sunday, 16 October, 2022.
"Enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances but the stolen items have since been returned.”
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