A CAR-JACK gang is targeting motorists who leave their engines running on cold frosty mornings.
Criminals are touring the streets of Milngavie and Bearsden looking for easy pickings as people leave keys in the ignition and their cars unattended while they defrost.
There have been three thefts like this in the past week — a haul which include
s two luxury Lexus cars.
Police have warned that a gang is targeting the area, and have urged people to be vigilant.
Milngavie police community safety officer Des Clark said: "We think they must be looking specifically for people leaving their engines running to defrost their cars while they get ready to go to work or take the kids to school in the morning.
"This looks like more than coincidence that these cars have been taken. Why else would car thieves be wandering around the streets of Milngavie and Bearsden at eight in the morning?
"It's too tempting to do this, especially given the recent cold spell we have had, but we would urge people not to. This is almost inviting thieves to steal cars.
"People should never leave their engines running and walk away from the car."
The first incident happened on last Wednesday when a silver Lexus was taken from outside a house in Milngavie's Craigmillar Avenue at around 7.35am.
On a silver Audi A3 was taken from an address in Westbourne Crescent, Bearsden at around 7.55am.
The latest theft came on Monday, on a particularly frosty morning, when a blue Lexus was taken from St Andrew's Drive, Bearsden, again at 7.55am.
The car was later recovered a short distance away at Chestnut Lane in Milngavie, and police believe that spooked crooks may have ditched the car after because they were worried someone saw them taking it.
Meanwhile, police have also warned people to make sure they defrost their cars thoroughly in the morning before driving off — after receiving a string of complaints about motorists trying to drive with windscreens so frosted up they can't see through them.
On Monday, police even received a complaint about a motorist in Milngavie sticking his head out of the side window to drive as he couldn't see out of the front.
Des Clark, from Milngavie police, said: "It's an offence to drive like this, so please make sure you leave extra time to safely defrost windscreens."
