Theft of taxi at knifepoint could be linked to second stolen car

Police are appealing for information after two men stole a taxi at knifepoint in Glasgow.

Officers said the two men flagged down the blue Skoda taxi at about 11.35pm on Thursday in Langbar Crescent, in the Easterhouse area of the city.

One of the men pulled a knife and threatened the driver before making off with the vehicle, police said.

It was found abandoned after it had crashed into a tree near St Luke’s Avenue in Carluke in North Lanarkshire.

Police suspect the incident is linked to the theft of a car in Carluke in the early hours of Friday morning.

A black Mercedes EQB was reported stolen from outside a property in Lanark Road before being found abandoned in Hallhill Road, Barlanark, Glasgow.

Detective Sergeant Scott McNulty said: “Inquiries are at an early stage to establish the full circumstances surrounding this robbery and we are appealing for any potential witnesses to get in touch.

“From CCTV it is understood that a number of people were waiting at a bus stop on Edinburgh Road at the time of the incident and we would like to speak to anyone who may have seen what happened.

“We would also urge anyone who may have seen a blue Skoda taxi or a black Mercedes EQB being driven erratically in the Carluke area in the early hours of Friday morning, or who may have dashcam footage of significance, to please come forward.”

Police Scotland said anyone with information can contact 101, quoting incident number 4370 of Thursday August 22, or they can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.