Armed robbers target Whitchurch tobacco machine firm
Armed robbers today tied up a worker and made off with a large haul of cigarettes after breaking into a business on an industrial estate.
A gang of men carried out the violent raid at the Cherwell Group on Waymills Industrial Estate in Whitchurch shortly before 7am.
After tying up a man working at the company, which deals with cigarette vending machines, they took a "large quantity" of packets.
They made their escape along the A525 heading towards Nantwich in a white Ford Transit van.
Two men were arrested by police in Skelmersdale, Merseyside, two hours later in connection with the raid and are being questioned this afternoon.
Officers investigating the raid studied CCTV footage from the scene earlier today. Forensic teams remained on the site this afternoon and the premises were sealed off while investigations were carried out.
The man who was confronted by the raiders is believed to be shaken by the raid but not injured.
Tony Challoner, who works at Glanbia across the road from the Cherwell Group, said: "I got to work at about 7.20am and at the time there were loads of police vehicles around the business and the place was cordoned off with blue tape. We had police officers come over to us to ask to view CCTV but I don't think ours would have picked anything up."
Chris Ammonds, spokesman for West Mercia Police, said: "A gang of men, possibly five in number, forced their way into the premises and tied up a male member of staff. They made off with a large quantity of cigarettes and are believed to have got away in a white Ford Transit van heading in the direction of Nantwich."
He appealed for people with information about the raid to call police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
According to the Cherwell Group's website it is the largest independent cigarette vending operator in the UK supplying pubs and independent businesses. Its products also include bar supplies, food vending machines, tea and coffee machines and cleaning products.
Staff at the Cherwell Group declined to comment.
