A gang of thieves driving stolen cars were chased by police after a smash-and-grab raid at an Aberdeenshire mountain sports shop.
Officers pursued the red Mini Countryman and Silver Volkswagen Passat after both vehicles were used in the heist at premises in Braemar.
The VW was stolen from a property in the Deeside village and the Mini had earlier been taken from address at Huntly.
The gang also stole high-end outdoor gear worth about £15,000 from the Braemar Mountain Sports in Invercauld Road.
Gore-Tex jackets and down-filled clothing were among the items taken.
Police lost sight of the fleeing gang as they neared Aberdeen and the stolen cars were later recovered in the city.
It was the second raid on a Deeside mountaineering shop in the space of four months.
The thieves smashed their way through a shop window around 2.50am yesterday.
Director of Braemar Mountain Sports and shop manager, Peter Lawrence, arrived shortly afterwards to find the front window smashed to pieces but no sign of the intruders.
Mr Lawrence said: “One of our neighbours living nearby heard a terrific bang, looked out the window and saw a couple of cars being loaded with black bags. They immediately dialled 999.
“On arriving it was obvious it wasn’t a false alarm. The windows were out, there was clothing strewn on the pavement and the ground was covered in shattered glass.
“Inside the shop several rails of clothing were missing – men’s and ladies Gore-Tex jackets as well as down clothing, soft shell and fleece. I’d estimate the value to be around £15,000.”
Fellow director of Braemar Mountain Sports, Colin Bruce, said: “I was called at home around 3am and headed up to Braemar, arriving shortly after the police.
“Apart from the stolen goods a fair amount of stock has been damaged by broken glass.
“The police attended promptly and have had their scene of crime team here this morning. It took a few hours to clear up but we were open by mid-afternoon.
“There are still lots of visitors in the village so it was good that The Bothy coffee shop next door was unaffected and opened as normal.
“The offers of assistance in restocking from our suppliers has been terrific. Thanks in particular to Mountain Equipment, Patagonia and Sherpa.”
On June 9 thieves made off with “tens of thousands of pounds” of mountaineering stock in a similar raid on Banchory’s Out There Active Wear.
And last night police said they are “keeping an open mind” on whether the two raids were linked.
Detective Inspector Stuart McAdam said: “Inquiries are at a very stage and several lines of inquiry are currently being pursued.
“Crimes of this nature are extremely rare in the community and I can assure the public that the safety and security of businesses in the area is a priority for Police Scotland.”
The Mini used in the heist was stolen from on Glamourhaugh Crescent in Huntly on Monday along with a Land Rover Discovery, a red Quadzilla 50cc and possessions worth £50,000.
The 4×4 was recovered in the Mastrick area of Aberdeen on Monday afternoon.
Anyone with information has been urged to contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
