Raiders took £20,000 worth of stock from an Aberdeenshire farm shop before making off in a stolen van.
The thieves broke into Marshall’s Farm Shop, near Kintore, on Friday night and took the safe, along with items including Christmas turkeys, goose and beef.
They then made off in a silver Volkswagen van also stolen from the popular store.
The vehicle was found burnt out in Bucksburn following the theft, which took place between 11pm on Friday, December 23 and 5am on Christmas Eve.
The thieves forced their way into the building, which is located off the A96 Aberdeen to Inverurie road.
The farm shop sells a range of locally sourced meat, vegetables, dairy products, preserves and other products.
There is a also a tea room on the site and a garden centre selling a range of plants.
Kenneth Marshall, the owner of the store, last night called for anyone with information on the theft to come forward.
He said: “As well as the van, they stole the safe, goose, turkey and beef.
“Even without the van, we’ve lost around £20,000 here.
“But we made sure that everyone who bought a turkey from us managed to get one for their Christmas dinner, so we’re happy about that.
“It’s a lot of money, but we’re just going to have to deal with it right now, unfortunately.
“We’ve still managed to have a happy Christmas dinner this afternoon, so we’re still in good spirits.
“If anyone does know anything about this theft, I’d really appreciate it if they could let the police know as soon as possible.”
Last night police urged anyone who may have seen people near the store on the night of the raid, or spotted the van being driven, to come forward and help them with their inquiry.
A police spokesman said: “Police Scotland are investigating a break in at a farm shop near Blackburn, Aberdeenshire overnight between 11pm on Friday, December 23 and 5am on Saturday, December 24.
“Entry was forced and items worth a five figure sum were stolen, along with a silver coloured Volkswagen motorvan registration number SW61 DNU. The van was later found burnt out near Bucksburn.
“The break-in occurred near to a busy road and it is possible that someone may have seen persons or vehicles in the area, or may have seen the stolen van being driven in the area.”
Earlier this year Marshall’s Farm Shop won backing from Aberdeenshire Council to expand.
The development of the site will involve it being expanded by 800%, with an extra storey being built along with additional parking for 118 cars and deceleration lanes from the A96.
Anyone with information about the theft is asked to contact the police on 101 or if you wish to remain anonymous, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
