Ram-raiders hunted after store is hit in early hours
Offenders fled towards Leek after using a van to damage shutters at Co-op store
DETECTIVES are hunting for ramraiders who smashed their way into a Co-op store – and looted the cash machine.
The offenders used a white Ford Transit van to damage the shutters at the Baddeley Green store during the early hours raid on Thursday.
And once inside the thieves stole the ‘ATM cash-box’ before making off. Now an investigation has been launched into the incident, which took place at around 2.50am.
A cordon was in place around the store this morning as police remained at the scene.
Pieces of the shutter were laying on the ground outside the shop while a concrete stump outside the store looked partially uprooted.
Investigating officers believe the offenders used a van – thought to be stolen – to smash their way into the shop before making off in a white Volkswagen Golf in the direction of Leek.
Witnesses are being urged to come forward as enquiries continue.
The raid represents another incident where a Co-op cash machine has been targeted. Stokeontrentlive reported how a cashpoint robbery had taken place in the early hours of April 1 in Abbey Hulton while a stolen van was also found at the scene.
Commenting on the Baddeley Green incident, a spokeswoman for Staffordshire Police said: “Detectives are investigating after a Stoke-on-trent Co-op was ram raided. Police were called at 2.50am this morning (April 14) to reports of a break in on Leek New Road.
“A white transit van, believed to have been stolen, was used to cause damage to the store shutters. The offenders stole the ATM cash-box before making off in a white VW Golf towards Leek. An investigation is underway.”
Witnesses - or anyone with relevant dashcam footage or CCTV - is asked to contact the force by calling 101 or sending a message via Facebook or Twitter, and quoting incident 070 of April 14. Alternatively call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.