Organised crime crooks remanded for high-end theft at Lanarkshire homes

dailyrecord.co.uk:

An organised criminal gang stole jewellery and clothing worth £65,000 from a house during a spate of break-ins across Lanarkshire.A police investigation into the crimes resulted in two men from the Republic of Ireland appearing from custody via videolink at Hamilton Sheriff Court on Friday.Michael Connors, 22 of Dublin, admitted breaking into a house in Birkdale Wood, Cumbernauld, and one in Winderemere Gardens, Hamilton.The Lanarkshire Live app is available to download now.

Get all the news from your area – as well as features, entertainment, sport and the latest on Lanarkshire’s recovery from the coronavirus pandemic – straight to your fingertips, 24/7.The free download features the latest breaking news and exclusive stories, and allows you to customise your page to the sections that matter most to you.Head to the App Store and never miss a beat in Lanarkshire - iOS - Android James Connors, 23, also of Dublin, admitted involvement in a raid on a property in Dunlin, East Kilbride.The men admitted acting with others and that the break-ins were aggravated by a connection to serious organised crime.The crimes were committed in January 2018, but it was only last summer that the pair were arrested.

They have been held in custody since.Chloe O'Hara, prosecuting, said police investigated a number of "high value" housebreaking across the west of Scotland that began in 2017.Referring to the Cumbernauld raid, she said the householder returned home about 10.30pm to find patio doors had been smashed and rooms ransacked.Stolen items included jewellery and handbags, and the estimated total value was £65,000.

Only about £20,000 worth was recovered.A similar break-in occurred at a house in Windermere Gardens, Hamilton, a week later.Thi