Hotel owner stops Aberlady ATM robbery

The attempted robbery took place at Aberlady Village Store – opposite Duck’s Inn, which is run by former Royal Marine Malcolm Duck.

Upon hearing the commotion across the street at 1am on Saturday, Mr Duck, 57, leapt into action.

“I just went across and asked them to stop,” he told the Courier.

“My background is in the Royal Marines so I just tried to stay relatively big and told them to shut up. They tried to drive off so I slowed them down by jumping on the bonnet of their car.”

The robbers – dressed in dark clothing and wearing masks – entered the store and ripped out its cash machine and attempted to lift it into their black BMW 5 Series. They also had a saw and a crowbar to prise the cash machine open.

Mr Duck described the incident as lasting a couple of minutes and said that he was just doing his civic duty.

“They were a bit surprised when I came out and stopped them,” he said.

“The guy advanced with his crowbar. I can’t remember what I said exactly. He was trying to be threatening.

“I just made a lot of noise and said, ‘It’s very noisy, I’m making a lot of noise, people are going to wake up, you’re going to get caught’ – something along those lines.

“I wouldn’t recommend doing something like that without a little bit of training.But I didn’t run in and be an idiot – I went across the road and got as close as I could to them to get in their faces.

But I was also aware that it wasn’t a long sprint back to the hotel if I needed to. And there were people from the bar on the pavement”

Mr Duck added: “Then when they drove away I just lay on the bonnet of the car, just trying to test them to see where they’ll go – will they stop? Are they brave enough to drive it?

“They drove off to get me off and that’s what happened.

The restaurateur said he “didn’t at any point feel under threat”.

“The adrenaline kicks in in these situations later on, but I was in the Royal Marines for 11 years and in West Belfast and the Falklands,” he added.

“Sure it’s a long time ago, but that training doesn’t go away.”

After ripping the ATM out of the shop using chains attached to the car, the thieves were unable to lift the machine into their car and ended up leaving it lying on the High Street.

Mr Duck added: “I think the world’s a bit mad as to what’s right and wrong.

“People say about things like this that ‘the insurance will cover it’ and that’s how we live our lives which is a bit sad.

“Their behaviour across the road was just wrong. I think it’s fairly simple.

“I couldn’t believe how long they were in the shop and on the street before we saw them, and with cars driving past doing nothing about it. We have turned into a society that looks the other way. For me there are things that are right and wrong in life so it was a pretty simple choice as to what I would do.”

He also passed on his sympathies for the shop owners Iram and Adnan Amjad: “I was gutted for them. They have worked so hard in the shop. They’re lovely people and my heart goes out to them.”

Adnan, 46, described his neighbour’s actions as “brave” and told the Courier the support from the local community has been great.

“It’s a community shop,” he said.

“It’s a shock for them as well you know, four people turning up and stealing a cash machine.

“It’s a quiet village so it’s quite a bit for a lot of people. But the whole village has been really supportive – take Malcolm coming and trying to confront the four thieves for example.

“It’s been a really good support from the community and they’re happy to see us back on our feet.”

The shop, which Mr Amjad has been in for almost four years, was open again on Sunday.

Bill Scott, a member of Gullane Community Council who stays just round the corner from the shop in Aberlady, said: “It’s fantastic to see them back up and running because it’s a really important shop for Aberlady and the people who run the shop are great.”

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Police in East Lothian are appealing for witnesses in relation to a break-in at a business in Aberlady.

“The incident happened around 12.45am on Saturday 22 September in the High Street area of the village.

“Four people forced an entry to the premises and attempted to steal an ATM. They were then seen driving off in a dark coloured BMW which was later recovered by Police in Edinburgh.

“Anyone with information, who has not already come forward, is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 0234 of 22 September, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”

“Detectives would like to thank the local community for their assistance with this investigation so far and urge anyone who may be able to help further to contact us.”