Brazen balaclava wearing thieves in the capital have stolen well over £2,000 in goods and cash from a flat after targeting it in broad daylight.
James Drummond, 38, says that his second floor Durar Drive flat was targeted by thieves on Friday July 8 at around 09:00am. The alleged culprits are said to have taken designer bags worth more than £1,000, holiday cash and jewellery that also totals over £1,000.
James’s wife has been left shaken and scared within her home after the ordeal. The couple believe that the home had been watched for some time as those responsible knew exactly when to strike.
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James, who works as a window cleaner, said that they had been saving up for a holiday in Mexico this Summer and that they have been left devastated by the burglary. The pair almost lost their Dogue de Bordeaux dog after it was attacked by the robbers and ran off.
Thankfully the pooch was found by a neighbour who was also able to give details and CCTV on the incident. They say that a white van as well as a blue car were involved in the alleged crime and that footage shows tools being handed to balaclava wearing individuals that are believed to be responsible.
On the robbery, James said: “They targeted our flat on Durar Drive on Friday at around 09:00am in the morning. All of our savings for our holiday to Mexico were stolen and all my wife's designer handbags too.
“There were a few Michael Kors and Gucci as well as all her jewellery that was taken. It has had a bad impact on my wife, she doesn't feel safe in the home anymore after it.
“They also seem to have hit my dog across the face on entry that caused her to run out the door but thankfully a neighbour got her back. I don't expect to see the cash or stuff again.
“I'd just like these people caught so they don't carry on doing this to people that actually go out to earn a living. It would good to put a name to them for my sake and the police.
“A girl next door seen the guys get out a van at my door with balaclavas on and tools in their hands. It's unbelievable that it happened at 09:00am in the morning.
“They have no cares now.”
James says that he feels as though they were definitely watching his home as his car was still outside as he had taken his van to work. He adds that his hairdresser wife often left for work at the same time in the morning and so they knew the perfect time to strike.
He added: “The blue car in the video pulls up and someone seems to hand one of the guys a tool. Two people can then be seen to go straight into the stair - it is very odd behaviour.
“Thankfully we have no kids in the house and just a dog and cat. Something serious could have happened.
“My neighbour said that the white van was sitting outside the next door block of flats and the blue car seemed to be handing something over to them before speeding off. They were meant to be in the house for about four minutes according to my neighbour.
“Police have come and taken DNA and prints but we haven’t heard anything more. We are planning on going to Mexico later this year and have been working and saving hard.
“For this to happen is devastating. The police also think they may have been looking for a spare car key to get my Audi as well but that's just speculation.
“No one knew where the cash was and I didn't tell people we were saving, so I think they just got lucky. The bags were all easy things to sell.
“I hope it's not someone I know. What is scary is that they knew our routine and when it was best to target the flat.
“If anyone has any information please contact the police. We just hope this doesn’t happen to anyone else.”
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “We were made aware of a break-in at a house on Durar Drive in Edinburgh around 10.30am on Friday, 8 July.
“A number of items were stolen from within the property. Enquiries are ongoing and anyone with information can call 101, quoting reference 1008 of 8 July, 2022.”
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