Police are investigating three break-ins to businesses premises in Midlothian which all occurred between 4.30am and 6.05am on Thursday 31st January in Straiton, Dalkeith and Lasswade.
First, entry was forced to the Subway restaurant at the Straiton Retail Park and a four-figure sum of cash was stolen from inside.
A short time later the Butterfly and Insect World centre in Lasswade was broken into however, nothing was taken.
Officers also received a call from staff at the K and I Coachworks in Dalkeith after the building was entered and some electrical equipment was stolen.
Inquiries are ongoing to establish if these break-ins are linked and anyone with information is asked to come forward.
Detective Sergeant Debbie Duncan from Dalkeith CID said: “Each of these premises are in relatively short travelling distance of one another with a vehicle and so we are looking to establish if the same persons are responsible. “We would ask members of the public who remember seeing any suspicious activity around the affected businesses during the early hours of Thursday morning to contact police immediately.
“In addition, anyone with any further information relevant to this ongoing investigation, is also urged to get in touch.”
Those with information can contact Dalkeith CID via 101 and quote incident numbers 365 (Subway); 422 (K&I) or 907 (Butterfly and Insect World) of the 31st January.
Alternatively, an anonymous report can be made to the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
John graduated from Telford College in 2010 with an HNC in Practical Journalism and since then he worked for the North Edinburgh News, The Southern Reporter, the Irish News Review and The Edinburgh Reporter. In addition he has been published in the Edinburgh Evening News and the Hibernian FC Programme.
