Thieves have taken a large amount of timber from a builders' merchants.
The gang struck at Jewsons, in Consett, County Durham, on Thursday, some time after 6.30pm.
They stole 30 12ft pieces of the five-by-two-inch timber.
A police spokesman said they made a hole in the yard's perimeter fence and took the timber off a racking system, loading it on to a vehicle.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Consett police, on (01207) 504204.
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