AN ELGIN MAN has been arrested and charged in connection to a number of alleged break-ins and thefts in the Elgin area.

Kevin Ritchie, 50, appeared at Elgin Sheriff Court on Wednesday where he made no plea or declaration to several charges relating to the incidents over a five-month period.

Police Scotland say that the allegations include the theft of cash from a charity shop – the Blytheswood Care shop on North Street in Elgin where around £20 was taken. He is also accused of taking £1000 from premises on Perimeter Road on the Pinefield Industrial Estate earlier this week.

The allegations he faces also includes the theft of tools on three occasions from a building site at Haugh Road between April 19 and May 8 and an attempted break-in to a Hill Street business between April 28 and 29.

Ritchie was remanded in custody while his case is continued for further examination.

Ahead of the court hearing the investigating officer for the case, Detective Sergeants Andrew Wilson, said: “I would like to thank the members of the public who assisted with these inquiries and provided information.”