Two cars, tools, and a three-figure sum of cash were stolen from a garage in West Lothian following a break-in at around 2:15 a.m. on February 20. The incident occurred on Avonmill Road and has prompted a police appeal for information.

Details of the Theft

According to police, a silver BMW X Drive M Sport and a blue Skoda Octavia were taken from the garage, along with a range of tools and a sum of cash. The theft is believed to have occurred in the early hours of Friday, with three men seen in the area at the time.

One of the suspects was described as wearing dark clothing with a hood up, while another was wearing a light-colored top. The third suspect’s description has not been released at this time.

Detective Constable Graeme Rogers said, ‘Enquiries are ongoing and we are appealing to anyone with information to contact us. We’d also ask anyone with dash-cam footage or private CCTV that could assist our enquiries to come forward.’

Police Appeal for Information

Authorities have launched an appeal for witnesses and anyone with relevant footage to come forward. Anyone with information is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101 quoting incident 0224 of Friday, 20 February, 2026. Alternatively, Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111.

The police have not yet confirmed whether the suspects are known to them or if they have any previous criminal records. However, similar incidents in the area have raised concerns about increasing rates of vehicle-related thefts.

Local Concerns and Previous Incidents

Residents of West Lothian have expressed concern over a recent uptick in property and vehicle thefts. According to local police statistics, there has been a 12% increase in reported thefts in the area over the past year, with vehicle-related crimes accounting for nearly 40% of those incidents.

In 2023, a similar break-in occurred at a garage on nearby Blackhall Road, where a single vehicle and a small amount of cash were stolen. That incident also involved multiple suspects and was solved through the use of CCTV footage and witness accounts.

The current theft has heightened fears among local business owners, many of whom have already taken steps to enhance security, such as installing additional lighting and surveillance systems. Some have also opted to store vehicles in locked areas when not in use.

Local community leaders have called for increased police presence and better coordination between law enforcement and local residents to prevent such crimes. ‘This isn’t just about the loss of property,’ said a local shop owner. ‘It’s about the sense of safety and security that we all rely on.’

Police Scotland has not yet commented on the number of officers assigned to the case, but officials have stated that the investigation is ongoing and that more details will be released as they become available.

With no arrests made yet, the case remains open, and authorities are urging the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity.