Heartless thieves broke into a Chinese takeaway in a quiet north village as its owners were out celebrating their New Year – and flooded the bathroom in their upstairs home.
Police are investigating a break-in and theft from Mei’s Food Chinese Takeaway in Main Street, Golspie, which happened some time between Monday and Wednesday.
It is understood that the burglars forced their way in through the back door and went upstairs into the owners’ house and stole about £200 in cash.
The heartless thieves also decided to plug the bath and leave the taps running before they left, resulting in significant water damage to the bathroom floor and ceiling of the takeaway below.
Police said that various items had been stolen – the details of which are yet to be disclosed – and confirmed that there was some water damage inside the premises.
The incident is reminiscent of the movie Home Alone, where burgling duo Harry and Marv, known as the “wet bandits,” leave the water running in every house they hit.
The Golspie takeaway was closed recently for the Chinese New Year, which officially began on Monday.
The owner had been away celebrating at the time the thieves entered his home and made the shocking discovery at about 2am yesterday morning when he arrived back.
Yesterday the owner was too upset to speak in detail about what had happened, but said that in the 20 years he had been living and working in Golspie, nothing like this had ever happened.
A police spokesman said: “Police in Sutherland are investigating a break-in and theft at a business premises on Main Street, Golspie.
“Between Monday 8th and Wednesday 10th February 2016, entry was forced to the Chinese takeaway on the village’s Main Street, where various items were taken and damage caused.”
East Sutherland and Edderton councillor Graham Phillips, who lives in Golspie, said: “It’s not what you expect to happen here, and I think it’s really shocking. It’s not just the theft but the nastiness of what has been done afterwards and it’s someone with a twisted mind that has done this. I hope they get the book thrown at them.”
Police are appealing for anyone who saw or heard anything suspicious in the area to make contact on 101 or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.