A STEAL to order scheme on high value cars is continuing to sweep across Renfrewshire.

The Gazette previously reported on crooks breaking into homes and stealing keys for expensive motors.

Renfrew, Lochwinnoch and Bridge of Weir are all areas that have been hit by the recent spate of thefts this week.

Most recently, two cars worth a total of £80,000 were taken at the David Lloyd gym in Renfrew on Wednesday, July 20.

A Mercedes Benz GLC was stolen at around 6.15pm, after a thief broke into the owner's locker and grabbed their keys inside.

The crook also nabbed a wallet containing cards and cash, as well as expensive golf and tennis equipment which had been left inside the car.

Described as a black 4x4 with the registration starting with SA16, the car is valued at £50,000.

Another car taken was a 16 plate white Jaguar FX which had been left at the Arkleston Road car park.

The owner went into the leisure club, got changed and left the keys to his £30,000 motor in the locker.

He returned to the fitting rooms at 5.30pm and realised that his keys were missing.

After alerting staff, he was able to trace his car through a tracking app, which police later found in Tollcross, Glasgow.

Inspector Cassie Glass said: "We had two high performance vehicles stolen at the David Lloyd gym car park in Renfrew.

"The first was a white Jaguar, the owner had left his keys in the gym locker and when he returned they had gone.

"We managed to trace this car in the east end of Glasgow.

"Another man parked his Mercedes Benz at around 4.15pm in the car park and after using the facilities realised that his locker had been broken into.

"His wallet and keys were missing and his car had been stolen which had golf clubs and tennis racquets inside.

"The two crimes are definitely connected and the CID are currently dealing with it."

There was also an attempted break in at a property in Lochwinnoch on Tuesday, July 19 at 2.30am.

The crook tried to force the window open however this caused the alarm to activate and they fled the scene.

A Mercedes was parked in the driveway which police suspect the intruder was trying to steal.

Later at 2.39am the thief travelled to Ranfurly Road in Bridge of Weir where they tried to steal another car.

The Audi parked in the driveway had been targeted previously and like before, the theft had been prevented after the alarms were activated.

Watt Road in Bridge of Weir was also visited on the same night, where the crook tried to open the living room window of a home.

Damage was caused to the window however entry was not gained and the Mercedes Benz parked in the driveway was not taken.

Inspector Cassie Glass said: "There had been an attempt to steal one of the cars in Bridge of Weir previously and the thief returned to take it again, which was unsuccessful.

"We ask that the public keep their house alarms on as it is a good prevention method and has stopped a number of thefts from happening.

"There is a connection between these attempted thefts and the two cars at the David Lloyd car park.

"Do not leave doors unsecured or even with the keys left in the doors.

"There are lots of opportunists out there and officers will be increasing presence in these areas following these incidents.

"We are following a positive line of enquiry however if anybody has any further information please contact us on 101."