A crime gang from Ireland is targeting wealthy Asian families in Glasgow with sophisticated gold heists, using metal detectors to find loot and wet wipes to remove any trail. The gang has netted hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of gold and jewellery from families in Glasgow's south side.
Sophisticated break-ins
The masked and gloved criminals carry out break-ins, often lasting fewer than 10 minutes, using metal detectors to find valuables and cleaning fluids and wipes to scrub surfaces of fingerprints or DNA. In the most recent raids, the gang targeted 10 luxury homes in the affluent Glasgow suburb of Whitecraigs, where properties can sell for £1 million or more.
A retired businessman, who asked not to be named, spoke of his shock at falling victim to the gang and released CCTV of their raid. He said: "My wife went out at 1.15pm and they must have been watching the house. We believe they followed her to ensure she wouldn't be back in a short time and then struck. Our cameras captured them arriving at 1.35pm and leaving at 1.42pm. Police, who'd been alerted by the alarm company, raced over but still got here 10 minutes later."
Targeting the Asian community
He said the gang had used a metal detector to pinpoint their targets, adding: "All the drawers in the bedrooms were ransacked and they eventually found my safe, which they threw over the bannister on to the ground floor before carrying it away with them. We lost gold, cash and watches."
He added: "My wife's valuable jewellery, which had been handed down in the family over generations, as is our tradition, is also gone. They were all wearing gloves and their faces were covered. They were very well organised, like in the movies. I've since learned they have exclusively targeted the Asian community – families of Indian, Pakistani and Chinese descent. And if they see anyone in the house, they abort their mission."
UK-wide operation
The man continued: "Recently they have moved into other areas. My grandson was home alone studying in Pollokshields when they approached. They spotted him, waved and drove off. I'm now told they have operated UK-wide. We've captured images of their getaway car but they keep changing their licence plates."
In some cases, the gang will scope out properties by offering to do repair work. Another Whitecraigs victim, who asked not to be named, said: "I was home on my own and my car wasn't in the driveway. One of the gang members rang the doorbell and asked if I wanted my gutters cleaned. He had an Irish accent and was white. They came back later and ransacked my four-bedroom house in less than 10 minutes. They used our cleaning equipment, which they found in the kitchen, to wipe away any clues. Then they took it away with them."
Police investigation
Even though the houses have alarms, the robbers work so quickly that they escape before police arrive. It's the latest in a series of break-ins across Scotland in the last 10 years targeting well-off families of Indian, Pakistani and Chinese descent.
Asian jewellery is particularly valuable because the gold used is expensive. Many of the stolen items are also family heirlooms. The robberies in Whitecraigs all happened on three streets, which the victims asked not to be named.
Video footage shows the burglars wearing normal casual clothing to avoid attracting attention. They then carry out their crimes in broad daylight in full view of security cameras and Ring doorbell cameras. The gang watch to ensure the house is empty, before arriving in a BMW or Mercedes car, clad in balaclavas and wearing gloves.
A getaway driver usually remains with the car while the rest of the gang, usually around four, force entry. They then head to the bedrooms where they know occupants keep valuables. They look mainly for gold, jewellery, expensive watches and cash, ignoring other valuables or personal effects, looting items worth hundreds of thousands of pounds.
Video obtained by the Daily Record shows the masked suspects arriving by car then leaving the premises a short time later in an identical vehicle. Others show them running from the properties while still masked and getting into the getaway car. In one clip, one robber is seen carrying a plastic spray bottle with what appears to be cleaning fluid. Another shows a suspect with a backpack used to carry the stolen valuables. Four of the masked robbers are also captured in the grounds of one of the targeted houses.
Detective Chief Inspector Ross Jamieson of Police Scotland said: "We are investigating reports of high value housebreakings in Glasgow. Whenever someone's home is broken into, the impact on the householder, their families and the local community is significant. High value thefts by housebreaking, targeting of domestic properties for family valuables such as jewellery and cash is not a new phenomenon. We are determined to disrupt the activity of individuals and groups involved in these types of incidents and will do everything in our power to bring those involved to justice."
