A 42-year-old man has been arrested and charged in connection with 40 alleged break-ins to vehicles in the west of the city.
A range of items, including satellite navigation systems and power tools, were stolen from vehicles in the Craiglockhart, Meggetland and Slateford areas of Edinburgh since the beginning of February.
He will be reported to the Procurator Fiscal, and will appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court at a later date.
A further three men, aged 39, 31, and 58, have been arrested and charged with associated crimes, including reset.
A Lothian and Borders Police spokesman said: “At this time we would urge people to ensure that they guard against car theft by making sure that their vehicle is secure, and keeping any valuables, such as satellite navigation systems, out of sight.
“People should also try to park in either a garage or well-lit areas overnight, as a further deterrent to would-be thieves.
More information on how people can keep their vehicle safe is available on the crime prevention section of the Lothian and Borders Police website.”
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Police in Edinburgh are attempting to trace the owners of suspected stolen property that was discovered in a garden in Leith at the weekend.
The items were recovered by officers in a garden in the Stanwell Street area on Saturday morning (February 11). They included mobile phones, satellite navigation systems, and power tools.
It is believed that the items were stolen from vehicles parked in the area overnight from Friday night into Saturday morning. While police have managed to reunite some of the goods with their owners, there are still a number of items outstanding.
A Lothian and Borders Police spokesman said: “We are appealing to anyone who stays in the area of Bonnington Street and the surrounding streets to check their vehicle to ensure that no property has been stolen.
“It is possible that some of the vehicles from which the items were stolen had been left unlocked, and that the owners may not realise their goods are missing.
“Anyone who has any information that can assist our inquiries into these break-ins should also get in touch.”
Anyone with any information should contact Lothian and Borders Police on 0131 311 3131, or Crimestoppers in confidence and complete anonymity on 0800 555 111.
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Police in Edinburgh have arrested and charged a 15-year-old youth in connection with a series of alleged vandalisms that happened in the Capital last month.
Over Friday 27 and Saturday 28 of January, a total of 17 vehicles were vandalised in the Grange and Newington areas of the city. The cost of the damage was estimated at several thousand pounds.
In addition to the vandalisms, the 15-year-old was charged with an alleged theft from a property in Ratcliffe Terrace. He will now be the subject of a report to the Children’s Reporter.
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Lothian and Borders Police are appealing for witnesses, following a road collision in Edinburgh where an elderly woman was injured.
The incident happened around 11.20am on Wednesday 15 February 2012 in Main Street, Davidson’s Mains.
An 83-year-old woman was crossing the street when she was involved in a collision with a Royal Mail van.
The woman was taken to the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary where following treatment for a head injury, her condition improved.
Road Policing Officers attended and Main Street was closed for around two and a half hours while officers carried out investigations at the scene.
Anyone who can assist police with their enquiries is asked to come forward.
A police spokesman said: “The elderly woman suffered what was initially thought to be a serious head injury as a result of this collision, however she has responded well to treatment.
“Nevertheless we are keen to speak to members of the public who can help us establish what happened, and we are particularly keen to speak to the driver of a white van, who we believe may have allowed the driver of the Royal Mail van to join the traffic flow just before the incident took place.
“This person is asked to contact police immediately.”
Anyone with any information can contact Lothian and Borders Police on 0131 311 3131, or the charity Crimestoppers in confidence and complete anonymity on 0800 555 111.
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| Brian McHale |
A man who murdered a Midlothian teenager, in an attack that happened in Gorebridge last year, has been convicted.
Brian McHale (21), was found guilty of the murder of 17-year-old Dale Bennett, following a trial at the High Court in Edinburgh.
Dale, from Mayfield, was stabbed in a disturbance that happened in Newbyres Crescent in Gorebridge in the early hours of Saturday, February 12 2011.
He had been in the area with friends when a confrontation took place and he was stabbed in the chest. He was rushed to the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, but despite the best efforts of medical staff, he succumbed to his injuries.
Detective Inspector Jim Robertson, who led the murder investigation, welcomed the guilty verdict.
He said: “My thoughts are first and foremost with Dale Bennett’s family, who have carried themselves with a huge amount of dignity during what has been a harrowing ordeal for them.
“It is my sincere hope that they can draw some comfort from the conviction of Brian McHale, who has expressed no remorse for Dale’s death, and who, despite the weight of evidence gathered against him, chose to put the family through the ordeal of sitting through a trial by pleading not guilty.”
DI Robertson added: “This was a crime that shocked the local community, and from the outset of this investigation, the community rallied round and provided us with information and assistance that was crucial in helping to bring this case to court.
“Dale’s death was a tragedy that could have been avoided were it not for the senseless decision of one individual to use a knife, and this case once again highlights the tragic consequences that can occur when someone chooses to carry a knife.
“Lothian and Borders Police is committed to reducing knife crime through pro-active and targeted action in communities throughout the Force area.
“Through our strategy of prevention and enforcement, we will continue our efforts to remove dangerous weapons from our streets.
“When someone is found in possession of a knife, they will be dealt with robustly, and can expect to be arrested and appear at court the following day.”
| Dale Bennett |
