Police are hunting two thieves caught breaking into a “pride and joy” motorhome parked on a village street.
Officers have appealed for information after the owner disturbed the criminals as they tried to make off with the vehicle, valued at around £8,000, before being forced to flee.
The break-in happened in Newtyle shortly after 7pm on Thursday evening on Castle Street in the village, close to Coupar Angus.
The owner, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “I had come out to put something in the bin and I heard this noise.
“I thought it was the metal railings, but it was too loud.
“I went out to have a look and there was a man stood there by the driver side door. I said ‘what are you doing?’
“Then I realised someone was sitting in the driver’s seat.”
The vehicle was parked outside her home and she went back inside to fetch help.
The thieves then rushed out of the motorhome and fled the village in an old, grey Renault Scenic.
Police said both men were in their 40s, wearing dark clothing, about 5ft 9 and of average build and “may have been of eastern European appearance.”
The owner said the men broke the driver’s side window to get inside and made off with the vehicle’s radio.
She has now been forced to place the motorhome in secure storage after borrowing a neighbour’s wheel clamps to keep the vehicle safe overnight..
She said: “We are very angry.
“It [the motorhome] is our little pride and joy. I have an illness that means I can’t go very far and it is nice to get away for the weekend
“You don’t think it will happen in a village and especially not at that time in the evening.
“I would urge all other motorhome users to be vigilant.”
A Police Scotland spokesman asked people in the Newtyle, Meigle and Alyth areas to keep an eye out for the crooks.
He said: “They left the area in a grey Renault Scenic, with the registration SU06FON.
“This line of enquiry is obviously being progressed, however we would like to hear from anyone who has seen this car, or seen two men acting suspiciously near vehicles.
“If you have any information that could assist our investigation, please call 101 or speak with any police officer,” he added.
