A MERCEDES and four mountain bikes worth more than £14,000 have been stolen in a spate of thefts in Cardrona.

Two properties were broken into in the Brydes Way and Castleknowe Way areas at around 5am yesterday (Monday).

A set of car keys and the Mercedes were taken from a house in Brydes Way, while four mountain bikes were stolen from a garage in Castleknowe Way.

The stolen car was seen travelling in convoy with a dark colour Ford Focus in the direction of Auchendinny and was later recovered damaged on the A701 near Straiton, Edinburgh.

And police also had reports of two further thefts in the village, when two sets of keys were stolen from another Mercedes in Cardrona Way and an Ipod Nano was taken from a Ford Transit Van in Leeburn View.

Officers are now trying to track down four men, who were wearing dark coloured clothing, in connection with the incidents.

Detective Sergeant Stevie Halls from Galashiels CID said: “We are eager to hear from anyone who witnessed any suspicious behaviour in the Cardrona area overnight on Monday, December 4.

“Four mountain bikes with an estimated value of more than £14,000 were stolen and I would ask anyone who has seen the bikes, or who knows where they are, to contact police immediately.

“I would remind people to ensure that their properties and vehicles are locked and secure and that valuable items are kept out of sight.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Galashiels CID via 101, quoting incident number 0356 (Brydes Way) or 0533 (Castleknowe Way) of December 4. Alternatively, an anonymous report can be made through the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.