A shocked Aberdeen couple have told of the moment three brazen raiders stole their car off their driveway – before later hearing their Audi A4 was involved in another break-in just one hour later.
Masked thieves threatened one resident with a screwdriver after being confronted.
The first incident took place at around 4.25am on Monday on Morningfield Road in Aberdeen.
Residents then heard their car was involved in another break-in on Hillside Crescent in Westhill at about 5.30am.
Police have launched an investigation into the incidents.
Meanwhile, residents have spoken of how “helpless” they felt watching the crooks steal their prized possessions.
Dog alerted homeowners to danger
An assailant broke into the house owned by Scott and Hayley Barr, who have two daughters, on Morningfield Road and stole keys for the Audi A4.
However, it was only when their cocker spaniel Archie barked that Mr Barr realised something was amiss.
Mr Barr walked to the back garden, still in his underwear, where he saw a masked man trying to get into the garage.
Starting to shout at the thief, Mr Barr was then threatened by the culprit with a screwdriver and heavy padlock.
Mr Barr took a step back before chasing the assailant who ran down the driveway and jumped the wall. It was only then he saw people already sitting in his car.
Hearing the commotion, Mrs Barr came running downstairs and opened the front door and started screaming.
“It was like a scene from a film,” she added. “There was a lot of shouting and screaming.”
On the street another masked person was sitting on a scooter with a large backpack with what was described as a long pole.
Mrs Barr said: “It felt like it was going to escalate into something.”
The three brazen assailants then quickly drove away.
The couple said the incident all happened within the the space of just four minutes.
‘I’m not prepared to live in fear’
Mr Barr said the whole situation had left them feeling “violated” and feeling “so low”.
The couple said this is the third time they have had intruders at their address.
When the first theft occurred three years ago, they installed CCTV cameras on the property.
However, Mr Barr said he feels they have done all they can to feel safe and it has not been enough.
“I feel absolutely helpless with the threat of what might have been,” he said. “You almost feel like you’ve been targeted.
“I’m not prepared to live in fear. I’m not prepared to barricade myself in my house to feel safe with my family.”
The couple have praised the police response has “excellent”.
Speaking about the incident, a police spokesman said: “Officers were called to reports of a car theft from Morningfield Road, Aberdeen at around 4.35am on Monday, June 20.
“Inquiries are ongoing and anyone with information should contact police on 101 quoting incident 0412 of June 20.”
‘I no longer have my peace of mind’
An hour later, the couple’s Audi was seen outside a property in Westhill before another vehicle was stolen.
Syed Hussain, his wife and two sons were sleeping when a masked assailant climbed into their home through a slightly ajar window and stole their car key.
Neighbours reported the “very bold” culprits had checked all the doors on Hillside Crescent before spotting the open window.
The thief grabbed the car key from near the front door and started pushing the car down the driveway before driving away.
Mechanical engineer Mr Hussain said: “The biggest shock for me was my family and my children were sleeping and he was in my house.
“The punishments are not enough, that’s why people keep doing it.
“It’s just the system that needs to step up. They keep being lenient but then they’re ignoring the person that’s affected.
“The car doesn’t matter, it’s really the stress that they give after it.
“I no longer have my peace of mind. I no longer know how I will travel for work and leave my family at home.”
Police have been contacted to comment about the Westhill incident.
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