Roughead's The Trial of Deacon Brodie describes the burgulary of Davidson McKain's hardware store as follows:

[George] Smith relates that one evening in November, 1786, they visited a hardware shop in Bridge Street belonging to Davidson McKain, armed with false keys, an iron crow, and a dark lantern. Having opened the outer door, Smith entered the shop, his companion remaining outside to watch. Smith was inside for about half-an-hour, and Brodie, becoming impatient, called out what made him stay so long was he taking an inventory of the shop? The result appears to have been disappointing; but among the goods removed was a red pocket-book, which Smith presented, as a token of gratitude, to " Michael Henderson, stabler in Grassmarket, his daughter."

About a fortnight later the two worthies again repaired to McKain's shop with the view of making a more thorough clearance. The same methods were adopted ; but before Smith could get to work he was disturbed by movements in a neighboring room, and fled, shutting the shop door after him. Brodie had already beaten a retreat. A little later, however, the pair walked arm-in-arm down Bridge Street to reconnoiter the premises, but, seeing a man on the watch, "and a guard soldier standing opposite at the head of the stair which goes down to the Fleshmarket, they passed along the bridge, and afterwards went to their several homes, as nothing could be done further that night."

• 9 October 1786: Goldsmith James Wemyss' shop.
• Deacon Brodie's Next Crime: 8 December 1786: John Law's tobacco shop.
• 24 December 1786: John and Andrew Bruce's hardware store.
• 16 August 1787: John Carnegie's grocery store.
• 29 October 1787: Edinburgh University's silver mace.
•  Christmas season 1787: John Tapp's house.
• 8 January 1788: Inglis and Horner silk merchant shop.
• 5 March 1788: Edinburgh's Excise Office.
• Planned future crimes.