Police hunt four men after puppy stolen during string of thefts in East and West Lothian

Police are appealing to the public for information and dash-cam footage following the thefts.

Police are hunting four men after a silver SUV was used to take a puppy during a series of thefts in East and West Lothian.

A silver Mitsubishi Pajero SUV - registration Y425 BGA - was seen with a trailer at a farm in the Bathgate area at about 2pm on Saturday, November 16th where a Collie puppy was stolen.

Earlier on Saturday at about 10am, a farm was broken in to in Dechmont, Broxburn and a silver SUV was seen there before it left with a trailer attached carrying a red quad bike. The quad bike has since been recovered.

Police are hunting four suspects and have appealed for anyone who can help trace this SUV. Pic: Richard Johnston Facebook - Edinburgh Crime and Breaking Incidents page.

A farm machinery supplier in Letham, Haddington, was then targeted at about 11:30am on Sunday, November 17th. Four men were seen gaining entry to the premises with the same SUV that was used in the theft of the puppy in Bathgate. On this occasion, a trailer was attached to the vehicle and was loaded with a Gator utility vehicle before being driven away.

Police believe that all three incidents are linked but they are trying to establish that the vehicle used in the first incident was the same SUV used in the second and third.

Suspects

Officers have managed to obtain descriptions of three of the four suspects who gained entry to premises in Letham, Haddington. They are described as follows:

1) Male, white, in his early 20s with dark hair

2) Male, white, in his early 20s to 30s and of medium build. He was wearing a black woolly hat with a white stripe around it, a dark green puffer jacket, light denim jeans and light brown rigger boots

3) Male, white, in his 30s, medium build, balding with short hair on the sides, with slight stubble. He was wearing a light grey jacket with dark grey sleeves, a red zip and a white logo on the left of the chest. He was also wearing muddy, light coloured jeans and muddy shoes.

Police Statement

Local Constable Russell Taylor said: "Although we are still trying to establish the vehicle used in the first incident was the same SUV used in the second and third, we do believe that all of these incidents are linked.

"Our investigations into all of these incidents are ongoing and we are following a positive line of enquiry, however we would urge anyone who may have seen any suspicious activity in these areas at the time or saw this particular silver Mitsubishi Pajero SUV (reg plate Y425 BGA) driving around to get in touch as soon as possible.

"I would also be interested in speaking to anyone who was driving in any of these areas on the Saturday or Sunday and may have dash-cam footage which could assist our investigation.

"If you have been approached by anyone in the area trying to sell you farming equipment, please also get in touch."

Anyone with information can contact Musselburgh Police Station on 101, quoting reference number 1908 of 16 November. Alternatively, you can call independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.