Thieves use forklift truck as two garages raided within hours
Thieves stole thousands of pounds worth of equipment after ransacking two commercial garages.
Machinery and tools worth up to £5,000 were taken from Betts Motor Services in Netherton after thieves broke in through the roof.
A forklift truck was also used to steal £1,000 worth of equipment from JCG Auto's garage in Cradley Heath on the same day, causing about £15,000 worth of damage, but police do not believe the burglaries were linked.
Mr Bett, owner of Betts Motor Service, said diagnostics machinery and impact guns were among the equipment stolen from his firm during the raid on May 17.
He said: "The thieves jumped through the roof and evaded security. I reckon they stole around £3,000 to £5,000 worth of equipment."
Mr Bett said his work alarm had not activated for about 10 minutes and the thieves had already fled by the time he reached the garage.
Gina Lycett of West Midlands Police said an investigation had been launched into the Betts burglary, which happened between 1.30am and 1.40am.
She said: "The owner is downloading CCTV and forwarding it to officers who are still very much investigating it.
"There have been no arrests but we are checking CCTV and making inquiries."
The burglary at JCG Autos garage happened just hours after Betts was targeted at 4.20am.
A worker from JCG said he found a 'work light' outside the premises, which he claimed had been stolen from Betts earlier that morning.
West Midlands Police said it was also investigating the Cradley Heath incident.
Anyone with information should call police on 101 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
