POLICE hunting a gang of cash machine raiders have seized a stolen high performance car used by the thieves.
Officers carried out a fingertip search in woods in Aberdeenshire yesterday after the white Audi S3 was discovered.
The “hot hatch” was used in attempted break-ins to ATMs at the Clydesdale Bank in Stonehaven’s Ann Street and the Bank of Scotland branch at Constitution Street in Inverurie.
The turbocharged quattro model – which was fitted with the false registration plate YP59 SOJ – was reported stolen from DW Sports Fitness in Aberdeen on October 15.
The car has also been linked to two recent raids on golf centres on Deeside and in Aberdeen.
It was found after a tip-off from a member of the public.
There have been a string of cash machine raids in the north-east in the past few weeks – and ATM network Link is offering a reward of up to £25,000 for information.
Dispensers have been targeted in Inverurie, Oldmeldrum, Aberdeen, New Deer and Ellon.
Police are also working with officers in Merseyside, who are probing a series of similar crimes.
Detective Inspector Graeme Mackie, who is leading the inquiry, said yesterday: “We now know that this white Audi S3 was used in the attacks on the ATMs in Inverurie and Stonehaven during the early hours of Monday, October 28.
“We are appealing for anyone who may have seen this car and the occupants at any time since the car was stolen on October 15 to contact us.
“Local inquiries in nearby Methlick have established that two men in their 30s, with Liverpool accents, were seen in suspicious circumstances in the village last Friday morning. While it is not known if these men are connected to the recent crimes – we are keeping an open mind – we are working closing and liaising daily with Merseyside Police.
“They are also investigating a series of ATM crimes which are very similar to those which have taken place in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire,” added DI Mackie.
“We are also investigating if those responsible for the ATM crimes are also connected to the recent break-ins to the Paul Lawrie Golf Centre on October 26, and Murcar Golf Club on October 16, where a white Audi A3 was also seen in suspicious circumstances.”
A large amount of Galvin Green clothing and TaylorMade golf clubs were stolen from the Paul Lawrie Golf Centre in Blairs, Aberdeenshire at about 1am on Saturday October 26.
Yesterday, a police team combed woodland near the River Ythan after the Audi was found at a secluded spot at Tanglandford, between Methlick and Ellon.
DI Mackie said a member of the public had reported “suspicious activity” in the area. He added: “He noticed two cars – a silver Audi A4 and the white Audi S3 – going into the wooded area near Tanglandford, which is quite remote, but only the silver one coming back out.”
The S3 was not concealed or inside a building, but hidden from view by dense undergrowth.
Police have declined to comment on the amount of cash that has been stolen in the north-east ATM raids, nor on the methods used by raiders.
DI Mackie said: “I cannot discuss operational matters. I can say that no one set explosives in any of these incidents.”