Kentish Express Ashford & District
Ram-raiders reverse 4x4 into village Co-op store
Shop reopens just a day after cash machine thieves strike in early hours
A village convenience store reopened just a day after it was targeted in an overnight ram-raid.
The Co-op in Wye was heavily damaged when thieves repeatedly reversed a 4x4 into the shopfront at about 1.45am on Friday to get to a cash machine.
A destroyed ATM was left lying on the path outside the store after thieves escaped with a cash box containing a “substantial amount of money”.
A police cordon was in place at the store in Churchfield Way throughout the day while officers and forensics investigated the incident.
Last week, Co-op bosses said it was “too early” to say when the damaged store would reopen, as structural assessments were yet to be carried out.
But just over 24 hours after the incident, staff welcomed customers back into the shop on Saturday morning.
A security guard who works at the nearby Wye College said he first saw people acting suspiciously at 11pm.
A few hours later, he saw a silver Mitsubishi Shogun reversing into the Co-op.
He said: “A white Vauxhall Astra estate car had been driving around the village since 11pm.
“It kept circling the village and I thought it looked suspicious.
“It then drove up the road and was followed by a white Ford Transit Connect van.
“At first I thought they were trying to steal a car and they were all dressed in black.
“The village is very quiet at night and at about 1.45am I heard a loud bang.
“I got my dog out because I thought someone was going to break into the college.
“I noticed that a [Mitsubishi] Shogun was ramming into the Co-op.
“A young couple were sitting in their car nearby and called the police - they were there within three minutes.
“The ATM machine was on the pavement outside the shop.
“All the cars drove off and the shopkeeper turned up and started chasing them up the road. I spotted about five people involved - I don’t think they could have picked the machine up.
“I have been working in the village since July and I’ve never seen anything like this happen.”
Detective Sergeant Jason
Booth confirmed witnesses saw a silver 4x4 and Vauxhall Astra leave the scene.
He said: “We have been carrying out our initial inquiries at the scene and have spoken to a number of witnesses.
“We would ask anyone else who has information and has not yet been in touch to provide details by calling us on 01843 222289, quoting reference 08-0077.
“We would also like to speak to anyone who has CCTV or dashcam footage in the area of Churchfield Way between midnight and 3am, which could help us trace the movements of the suspects who were all believed to be wearing dark clothing.”
The Kentish Express asked the Co-op press office whether the cash machine will be replaced, but did not receive a response.