Gang of thieves thwarted in bid to steal Post Office ATM
CCTV footage captures incident as gang leaves empty handed
A GANG of thieves were caught on camera trying - but spectacularly failing to steal a cash machine from Shepshed Post Office.
CCTV footage recorded the incident, which took place on March 4 at around 1.09am in Market Place, Shepshed.
And from the very start, things started to go wrong for the bungling hooded thieves.
To begin with, the SEAT Leon model car was driven onto the kerb between a parked car and the front of the shop, making it impossible for the thieves to exit the vehicle.
Realising the error, the vehicle reverses from the tight gap in search of a better spot.
The driver then swings the vehicle forward and positions it diagonally from the parked car so that the front passenger door is only centimetres from the other vehicles back end.
Predictably, the front passenger struggles to exit the vehicle.
As two other men emerge and go to the boot, one door remains closed.
It appears that the child lock has been left on with a fourth person on the other side.
After conquering his own door issue, the front passenger opens the locked door and releases the fourth thief who springs from the car.
Meanwhile, the others who successfully left the vehicle without hassle remove some equipment from the rear of the car and set to work on the cash machine.
A large wire-like hose is untangled from the boot and what looks like a metal pipe is attached to the front.
Chemical containers can also be seen inside the vehicle.
The piece of equipment is attached to the cash machine with one of the men holding it steady.
Everything falls calm as one of the suspects wanders casually back to the vehicle.
But the tranquillity is quickly over when sparks burst from the cash machine only a metre or so away from the hooded face of the thief.
Confused as to what has just happened they abandon the heist in a hurry.
After ripping the device out of the ATM, which causes more sparks, the thief with reflective trainers realises he can’t get back in the front passenger side door.
He attempts to slide himself in but finds the gap is too small and decides to wait for the vehicle to move forward, which it does. Eventually, he clambers through and shuts the door and they leave the scene empty-handed.
Leicestersrire Police confirmed that it was called to the incident and that four suspects left the scene with nothing.
The shop owner said that there is some lasting damage and that the cash machine is still out of service.
Inquiries are ongoing into the incident. If you think you saw something or have any information the force ask that you call 101.