The thieves struck on December 3, after the businesses had locked up for the day at 4.30pm. The first sign of something odd was when Oakwood Tree Care boss Bill Hogarth received a phone call at 7pm from a concerned dog-walker who said Mr Hogarth’s premises were unlocked.
Nathan Mill and fellow businessman Bill Hogarth, who have both been targeted by thieves. Photo: Helen Barrington “I knew right away from the gates being wide open that I had been robbed,” Mr Hogarth, 56, said. “I’m flipping gutted. In the 20 years I’ve been in this yard I’ve never had any trouble.”