Mail Online

£90,000 raiders who targeted Asian homes

By David Meikle

TWO Irishmen have admitted being part of a crime gang that stole almost £90,000 in a string of raids targeting wealthy Asian families in Scotland.

James Connors, 23, and Michael Connors, 22, worked with others to raid properties across Lanarkshire. They broke into homes and tore alarm systems from walls before ransacking bedrooms for jewellery, handbags and other accessories.

A huge police investigation had been launched in February 2017 after a number of homes were targeted.

Both men, of Dublin, were involved in robberies in East Kilbride, Hamilton and Cumbernauld in January 2018.

Michael Connors admitted being part of a raid in Cumbernauld in which handbags and jewellery worth £65,000 were stolen.

Both accused admitted their part in a robbery in Hamilton where £2,000 in cash was taken along with jewellery worth £27,000. A total of £1,700 in cash was taken from a house in East Kilbride where a neighbour watched in horror as a group of men in balaclavas and baseball caps ran from the property to a getaway car.

The men were caught in May last year when officers raided a hotel room and discovered a haul of goods. A list of addresses was also found and police believe this contained other potential targets for the gang.

Both men appeared via videolink from HMP Addiewell and admitted the thefts, along with unknown others, which were connected to serious organised crime.

The court heard £20,400 worth of cash and items had been recovered.

Sheriff Andrew McIntyre deferred sentence on both men until next month and remanded them in custody.

Ukraine On The Brink

en-gb

2022-01-29T08:00:00.0000000Z

2022-01-29T08:00:00.0000000Z

https://mailonline.pressreader.com/article/281960316143548

dmg media (UK)