Ernie Long, 72, and his wife left their Old Edinburgh Road home on Sunday at around 5.35 pm to journey to Lockerbie, they returned at around 8 pm but it wasn’t until an hour later that they realised their prized cara- van had been taken from their driveway.
Ernie said: “It’s still not sunk in. We are in a state of shock, we really can’t believe it.”
He added: “You work hard all your life to afford nice things and this happens. It’s very disappointing
“They must have eyed it up and planned it. It’s not the sort of thing you would take on impulse, it’s a big task to move a caravan.
“These thieves really know what they’re doing and had clearly been watching the house.
“I used to sit and read the papers in the caravan and we would take a fortnight’s holiday every year too. It’s a big loss and I’d urge all my neighbours to be on alert.
“Years ago things like this didn’t happen in Moffat but thefts are getting more frequent.”
The caravan is a 2010 model and valued in the region of £9000. Constable Calum Benson said: “We are interested in hearing from anyone in Moffat who may have seen or heard anything suspicious at all on Sunday.
“In particular we are interested in tracing the two male occu- pants of a white coloured Ford Ranger which had a 67 registration plate.
“This vehicle was seen in the area around 5.35pm and again near the scene of the theft at around 6 pm.
“Also, we would like to trace a small white coloured van which may have been in the area shortly after 6pm.
“Anyone with any information is asked to call police on the 101 number, and quote the reference 4090 of 12/8.”
Meanwhile, a quad bike was taken from Dyke Farm sometime between Tuesday night and the following morning.
The quad, a red coloured Yamaha 350 ATV Grizzly which was tted with a winch, is worth £6000.
Branding the theft an inconvenience, owner George Paterson said: “I suspect Moffat is well and truly on the radar and this won’t be the last theft.”
Constable Lee Barnfather added: “Clearly thieves are on the prowl in the Moffat area and we are keen to hear from anyone who may have been on the A701 road south of the town on Tuesday night or early Wednesday morning.
“We want to hear about any suspicious vehicle movements in the area of Moffat.”
He added: “It is clear that some sort of reconnaissance is taking place before the thefts occur and we would welcome any informa- tion about suspicious vehicles or people in the area over the last week or so.”
