A delivery driver was seriously injured as his van was stolen, before the vehicle was used in a ram-raid in West Lothian.
The driver was found lying on the road on West Main Street in Harthill at 5.40am on Saturday. His blue Iveko van was stolen around the same time.
He was taken to Wishaw General Hospital where he is in a stable condition.
The van was apparently used to ram the front of the Scotfresh store in Armadale around half an hour later. Pictures posted on Facebook showed the shutters were caved in.
However the thieves did not gain access to the shop and the van was abandoned on Forrester Road later.
Police are now trying to track down whoever is responsible for the crimes.
Detective sergeant Derrick Lunan, of Wishaw CID, said: "The van driver was seriously injured during the theft and we would like to speak to anyone who saw what happened as well as any suspicious activity beforehand.
"We are also keen to speak to anyone who saw this van being driven around at that time in the morning and after the incident at the store before it was then abandoned.
"If you have information that will help our enquiries please call Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident 0660 for the theft and 0697 for the attempted housebreaking, both of Saturday, 11 January. Or call the charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111."
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