Cashpoint stolen as town is hit by double raid
THIEVES stole a cash machine from a shop and threatened bank staff during two terrifying raids in the town.
Brazen offenders broke into the Co-op on Ivy Road, the Weston, and stole an ATM from inside.
Then two days later offenders forced their way into the Royal Bank of Scotland at Park Green and threatened staff with a chisel or screwdriver before stealing cash.
Police are not connecting the two incidents but have appealed for the public to come forward with information to catch the offenders.
Insp Steve Griffiths said: “Detectives are working tirelessly to find those responsible and are exploring all lines of investigation. We would urge anyone with information to contact us to help us get justice for the victims.”
In the first incident at the Co-op on Wednesday, April 29, the daring offenders forced entry into the Co-op store at around 3am.
They hauled out the cash machine from within the store before fleeing in a Black Range Rover Discovery up Dawson Road.
The vehicle is believed to have been damaged during the incident.
Witnesses described seeing metal shutters at the front of the shop bent up after the incident. A spokesman for Co-operative Food said there was ‘extensive damage’.
She added: “An incident took place at our store in the early hours of the morning while the store was closed for the night.
“CCTV footage has been shared with the police, who are investigating and we ask anyone with information to come forward.”
On Friday, May 1, men hiding their faces with bandanas forced their way into the Royal Bank of Scotland on Park Green.
It was closed to the public but staff were on the premises. It is believed three men forced their way into the rear of the bank.
One of them was brandishing a chisel or a screwdriver. They stole cash from the tills before making off.
Police were called to the scene at around 9.50am. The men were wearing dark clothing and white or light coloured gloves.
Steve Joyce, from Macclesfield CID, said: “It was a scary experience for the staff. They were not injured but were shaken.
“We want to hear from anyone in the area at the time. It was a busy time near a busy junction and we hope someone saw something.”
Call police on 101 quoting incident 54 of April 29 and incident 227 of May 1.