Thieves in £6,000 raid on hotel

Lorraine Tinney • Published 3 Mar 2010 14:00

THIEVES raided a Gourock hotel and stole up to £5,000 of booze and £1,000 from games machines.

They targeted Buckley's Firth in Ashton Road early on Monday morning.

Owner Tony Buckley believes a professional gang were behind the break-in.

He said: "They spent three hours, from 1.40 to 4.40am, in the hotel - we've seen them on CCTV.

"They took at least £1,000 from fruit machines and between £3,000 and £5,000 in spirits. They wiped the whole lot - vodka, whisky and Bacardi.

"They were seen lifting boxes and boxes into the van."

A white Citroen Berlingo van with Buckley Catering written on the side of the vehicle was also stolen.

Mr Buckley says the contents in the van - which included cutlery and crockery from his catering business - totalled £3,000, and these items were found dumped at Faulds Park. Two laptops were also swiped in the break-in.

He said: "The alarm was disabled on Sunday and the fact somebody was in the place for three hours would suggest they've done it before. It wasn't kids anyway."

The businessman says it was a slick operation whereby the van was emptied and then driven back so thieves could fill it with what they wanted.

He said: "One of my employees saw dishes scattered in the road when he was coming to work on Monday. It looks as if they've just opened the doors at the back of the van to empty it quickly, so the plates crashed out."

Mr Buckley says the hotel has been a victim of its own success.

He said: "It's a bit out of the way and we have been fairly successful. We were busy on Sunday with the Old Firm game being on. Gangs have been targeting all sorts of businesses in Gourock.

"We won't let this set us back. We've had a great response from the public and business is booming since hiring our new chef Klaus Peichel."

Police are appealing for information and anyone who can help with their inquiries is asked to call 492500 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

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This article appeared in Greenock Telegraph 03 Mar 10

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