Four-man gang smashes pick up truck into Broughton Astley shop to steal cash machine

Ram raiders brutally attacked a high street shop in Broughton Astley and stole a cash machine in the early hours of Monday (February 17).
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The brazen four-man gang ruthlessly targeted the Spar store on Main Street, Broughton Astley, at about 1.30am.

The villains rammed a stolen 4x4 Mitsubishi L200 pickup truck into the front of the popular shop under cover of darkness.

The crooks then heaved the heavy free-standing ATM into another getaway vehicle and roared off into the night.

Damage to the shopfront.Damage to the shopfront.
Damage to the shopfront.

It’s feared they got away with thousands of pounds.

The gang behind the slick, highly-professional and pre-meditated smash and grab are now being hunted by police.

A worker at the Spar shop told the Harborough Mail: “It happened at about 1.30am on Monday morning.

“We still can’t believe it.

“The gang rammed a massive truck or 4x4 into the shutters in the front of our shop.

“They then towed the cash machine out of the store and escaped with it.

“It’s shocking – and they have left us with a huge clean-up job.

“We just hope the police catch them quickly.”

A Leicestershire Police spokesman said: “A Mitsubishi L200 pickup truck was used by a group of men to force entry to the shop.

“The men then loaded the free-standing ATM into another car – a dark, five-door vehicle – before leaving the scene.”

He said officers have established that the Mitsubishi was stolen from a farm in Mowsley, near Market Harborough, in the early hours of Monday morning just before the attack.

“It was left at the scene and has since been recovered,” said the spokesman.

The stolen Mitsubishi and the battered shop are now being combed for vital clues by police forensic science officers and scenes of crime teams.

“Police would like to speak to anyone who has information regarding the incident,” said the force spokesman.

PC Lewis Marsh, the investigating officer, said: “Enquiries into the incident are continuing.

“We believe that four men were involved.

“I would like to speak to anyone who lives or owns a business in or around Main Street and has CCTV installed at their premises.”

He added: “Did you see or hear anything that aroused suspicion in the early hours of this morning?

“Did you see the pickup truck or another vehicle?

“I would also like to speak to anyone who was driving in Broughton Astley in the early hours of this morning and who has a dashcam in their vehicle.

“Any information you have could help my investigation.”

If you can help police then call 101 urgently, quoting reference 20*91417.

Cllr Clive Grafton-Reed, chairman of Broughton Astley Parish Council, told the Mail: “This is a real shock.

“I live just about 100 yards away from the Spar shop but didn’t hear anything.

“The Spar is a very popular store and a key asset to Broughton Astley.

“This is a big blow for Baz, the shop’s owner.

“He’s done a huge amount to support the village and our community here over the years.”

He added: “It’s also a massive setback for local people – we’ll all miss the cash machine for a start.

“This raid is the talk of Broughton Astley as you can imagine – everyone’s talking about it.

“It’s not something you expect to happen in a place like ours – and makes people feel uneasy.

“I just hope the police catch the gang as soon as possible to stop them doing this again somewhere else.”