Car used in ATM raid after burglars ransacked Herefordshire home

BURGLARS ransacked a Herefordshire home, with a car stolen from it used to raid a service station.

The offenders gained entry to the home in Pomona Lane, Weston Beggard, between 1.30pm and 3pm on Wednesday, July 23, by smashing the glass in the front door.

Police community support officer Rachael Mahoney said they then ransacked several rooms, causing damage, and stole the keys to a vehicle parked outside the property, which they then made off with. Advertisement Advertisement

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The stolen vehicle was used the next day in a raid at a service station in Strensham, Worcestershire, where an ATM cash machine was forcibly removed and loaded into a van by the offenders, PCSO Mahoney said.

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Police have confirmed that two cash machines were stolen from Strensham Services in the early hours of Thursday, July 24.

Around six to eight suspects using three vehicles were involved in the theft from the M5 service station between junctions 7 and 8 at around 4am, a police spokesperson said. Advertisement

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A dark coloured van, pick-up truck and a car were all involved as offenders smashed windows and used cables from the pick-up to strap around the machines and pull them away before loading them into the van.

They then exited the services the wrong way out of a service road to flee the scene.

Officers believe there would have been lorry drivers around at the time who may have witnessed the theft or captured it on their dashcams, and they would like to hear from them, or anyone else with information.

Detective Constable Simon Dudman of Worcester CID said: "This was a well-planned criminal operation that unfortunately resulted in two cash machines being stolen from the services.

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"The smashing of windows and pulling the machines away with cables which sparked along the ground as they moved will no doubt have alerted witnesses to the incident, even at 4am in the morning.

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"We would like to hear from anyone who saw the raid or may have caught it on their mobile phone or dashcam to come forward and submit that footage to us as part of our investigation."

Anyone who witnessed the theft should call Worcester CID office on 01905 331234 quoting incident 42i of 24 July.

Alternatively, if you have information but don't feel comfortable speaking to police, you can speak to the independent charity Crimestoppers.

It is 100% anonymous, they never ask your name, and they cannot trace your call or IP address.

You can contact them online or by calling 0800 555 111.