RAM-RAID ON RURAL STORE
A SHOPKEEPER has spoken of his devastation after ram-raiders smashed their way into his store.
Police have taped off the site after being called to Caverswall Village Shop and Post Office on School Lane.
The ram-raiders only managed to escape with some cash after using a white Sprinter van to smash the front of the shop.
Now 35-year-old Pratheesh Shanmuganathan, who was named ‘Community Champion’ for his work helping the vulnerable during the coronavirus pandemic, says he is still ‘in shock.’
Pratheesh, from Weston Coyney, said: “I got a call at 5.20am from the alarm company. I live nearby and was here in minutes. The police were here.
“I do not think they got away with too much. But I am very concerned about the damage to the premises. I am worried about the extent of the damage. I could have to stay closed for some time. I am worried the customers will start going elsewhere.
“I work 12 hour shifts six days a week as my shop is open 8am to 8pm Monday to Saturday.
“I am devastated. It is absolutely devastating.
“I am still in shock but I believe everyone will pull together to help me get back on my feet.”
The ram-raid was heard by a family living next door to the store who thought it was a ‘noisy’ delivery.
Thankfully, a girl who lives in the flat above the store was not in at the time of the incident.
Now councillors and residents have rallied round Pratheesh.
Chairman of Caverswall Parish Council Councillor Paul Roberts says the shop is the ‘nerve centre of the village.’
The 66-year-old said: “The family living next door to the shop heard the noise at 5.15am and thought it was a delivery which was very noisy.
“A man who lives next door but one heard it and came out and the van drove off.
“They have taken a bit but not a lot. It was just money they got away with. Luckily the girl who lives in the flat upstairs was not in.
“It is a shame.
“The shop is the nerve centre of the village.”
County Councillor Ross Ward, who lives in Caverswall, said: “Pratheesh has been absolutely incredible during the pandemic. He is the absolute heart of the community and has gone above and beyond the call of duty.
“The community is just devastated and we want to do what we can to help him get back on his feet. He is just awesome.
“He knocks on my mother’s door every other day to make sure she is alright and has everything she needs. He is a genuine guy. It is just heartbreaking to see this.
“There is already a Go Fund Me page set up with the community raising money to help him. I am sure the community will rally round to help him get back on his feet as soon as possible.”
And Andy Mayer, aged 63, of Caverswall, said: “We do a big shop at Tesco once a fortnight. Anything we can’t get we get from Pratheesh. Anything you want he will get. He remembers everything.
“It is terrible. He has worked so hard and some scumbags come and do this. I feel really shattered for him and I feel so sorry for him.
“It was a Post Office before. He has turned it into the Village Store. He is a lifeline. We would have been shattered without him during the pandemic.”
More than £3,000 has already been raised to support Pratheesh after a Gofundme page was set up by the founder of the Facebook page Residents and Friends of Caverswall Village, Charlotte Sim. The money raised will be put towards the repairs needed at the store. Charlotte says she has been ‘overwhelmed by the generosity of the village’ after initially setting the target at £500.
Charlotte, aged 46, said: “It was just on a whim, I’ve never done anything like this before.
“The minute I posted, the donations came rolling in, I’m absolutely overwhelmed by the generosity of the village and even people from outside the village have donated.”
Anyone with any information about the ram-raid is asked to call the police on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.
The community is just devastated and we want to do what we can to help him get back on his feet. Cllr Ross Ward