Fed-up bosses at a beleaguered Perth restaurant joked about installing “armed security” after a would-be thief tried to smash his way in using a bench.
Hapless Richard Jordan was caught on camera during the early morning raid at Willows’ city centre coffee shop.
CCTV captured the moment the 50-year-old failed to get through the St John’s Place establishment’s front door, before trying his luck with a side door and leaving bosses with a “huge” repair bill.
The would-be thief is then seen creeping away empty handed.
Jordan, of Kirkgate, Perth, appeared at the city’s sheriff court on Tuesday and admitted the attempted break-in, with intent to steal, on September 13, last year.
The court heard he smashed three panes of glass in a side door and attempted to force open the front door using a bench.
Willows has been raided four times in the space of a year-and-a-half.
It prompted fed-up bosses to make a tongue-in-cheek appeal on social media for quotes for “rolling shutters and armed security”.
Sheriff Gillian Wade deferred sentence until June 15 for background reports.
Jordan was released on bail.
‘Scumbag’
Willows, which celebrates its 30th anniversary this year, released footage of the attempted break-in on social media.
In a statement at the time, bosses said they were broken into by “a different scumbag” a few days later.
“We are absolutely gutted to tell you that we’ve been broken into not once this week, but twice,” the post states.
“On Monday morning (September 13, 2021), a bench from a nearby restaurant was used to try and smash our front doors.
“After failing to do so, our side doors were smashed trying to get in.”
The spokesman added: “Thankfully, he didn’t manage and just left us with a huge bill to repair the damage.”
The cafe said the second raider, Christopher Anderson, was arrested following a “swift response” by Police Scotland.
“As always, we are thankful to police for dealing with the incidents and that no one was hurt.”
The statement continued: “That’s four break-ins within 18 months, so if anyone would like to send us a quote for rolling shutters and armed security, feel free to get in touch.”
Trail of coins
Last month, thirty-six-year-old Anderson appeared at the same court and admitted breaking into Willows just two days later.
He was caught outside after police followed a trail of dropped coins.
Anderson, of St Catherine’s Square, explained to officers: “I just had a drink and pinched munchie.”
He is due to be sentenced later this week.
Trail of blood
Willows was broken into in March 2020, during the early days of lockdown.
And in December that year, William Gillilan forced his way in and made off with the restaurant’s till.
He tore his leg open as he left through a smashed window. The 42-year-old was found nearby, collapsed in an alleyway and still holding the stolen cash register.
Staff at the restaurant recently raised on concerns about ongoing work at the nearby Perth City Hall.
