Shop owner offers £500 reward to track down thieves

The owner of a city bakery has offered a £500 reward for help tracking down thieves who broke into his shop and stole a Scottish Poppy Appeal collection tin.

Michael Quinn, 34, discovered the break-in at his shop, Quinns Bakery Takeaway, in Wardieburn Drive, Granton, early yesterday morning.

The thieves had ransacked the shop and stolen £100 from the till, along with the tin.

He said: “I’m not so bothered about what they took from the till, but taking the poppy tin was out of order – it’s really low to steal from charity like that.

“There was about £35 in the tin on Friday. It’s not a lot of money, but it’s the principle.”

The culprits, who left damage worth around £400, had smashed the lock off steel gates in front of the door.

Glass on the door had been taped up to stop it making a noise as it was shattered.

It is the second time Mr Quinn – who has leased the shop since January 2009 – has been the victim of a break-in this year.

In June, the store was broken into and the wall safe – containing £2000 of takings – stolen.

He said: “They have broken into the shop the same way both times – I think it’s probably been the same people.

“Police have found a footprint in a size seven or an eight and they found a similar one last time.

“The culprits have even had a wee picnic in the shop as well this time, because they left behind chicken bones.

“They’ve also taken juice and lifted stuff from the delivery, but it’s the poppy tin that has really got to me. I want this person caught and that’s why I have offered so much money as a reward.”

Security at the shop is to be stepped up following the crimes and Mr Quinn said that money will no longer be kept in the store overnight.

A spokesman for the Scottish Poppy Appeal said: “We are dismayed to hear about this.

“By stealing the tin the thief is, in effect, stealing directly from those most in need of our support. The gesture made by the bakery owner is very kind and we hope that the thief is found soon.”

A police spokesman said: “Lothian and Borders Police are appealing for witnesses.

“Various items including cash and a poppy collection tin were taken during this incident, which happened sometime between 11.55pm on Tuesday, November 15 and 6am on Wednesday, November 16.”