Store rammed for cashpoint before raid car burnt out

Early morning raid on village supermarket

Thieves rammed through a village convenience store to steal a cash machine, before dragging it along the road, taking money and setting fire to their car in a dramatic early morning raid.

Officers were called to the Co-op in Faversham Road, Lenham, just after 2am on Wednesday last week after it was reported that a Mitsubishi Shogun had been used to steal an ATM from inside the premises.

It is understood the vehicle rammed the front of the shop and then pulled out the cash machine using strapping of some kind.

It was then dragged along Faversham Road and over the A20 towards Doddington where it was left after a quantity of cash had been removed.

The Shogun was later found on fire in Flint Lane and detectives from the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate have now launched an investigation into the raid.

District Commander, Ch Insp Ray Quiller said: “This crime has caused considerable disruption to this business and the village community.

“While investigators are pursuing a number of lines of enquiry, we are appealing for witnesses who may have seen anyone acting suspiciously in the area, saw the vehicle travelling into the village or leaving pulling the cash machine behind it.”

The store was closed throughout the morning while detectives investigated.

A spokesman for Southern Co-op said last week: “We are doing our best to reopen the store as soon as it is safe to do so and would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused.

“We would like to thank the wider community for their support and understanding.”

One eyewitness who works nearby but did not wish to be named said: “When I came in this morning, I saw a lot of police and that there was a cordon in place.

“It seems like there was a raid overnight.”

Anyone who has information or who has CCTV or dashcam footage that a may assist the investigation is asked to call Kent Police on 01622 604100 quoting reference 9-0074.

Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers in Kent anonymously on 0800 555111.