Gang breaks into Whitchurch Tesco cash machine
Thieves used an angle grinder to break into a cash machine at a Tesco supermarket today.
Detectives believe the gang involved may be responsible for a series of attacks on ATMs across Shropshire.
They caused substantial damage after targeting the store in White Lion Meadow, Whitchurch.
Detectives are looking at CCTV for clues following the attack, which happened early this morning.
The four men stole an unknown quantity of cash, and made off in an Audi car.
Detectives were at the supermarket looking for forensic clues as they sought to find the gang.
Inspector Tracy Ryan said CID officers investigating the possibility of the same group being behind this attack, and others in the county in recent months.
She said: “We were called to the scene at about 12.45am after reports four men were trying to break in to a cash machine.
“They used a Stihl saw to do that and made off with an unknown quantity of cash.
Linked
“They made off in an Audi, and we are investigating that these might be linked to others across the county.
“We think it is possible they are linked, as a similar car was reported to have been used in other thefts.We are continuing to investigate this possibility.
In September 2017 thieves made off from a cash point at Morrisons in Market Drayton, and a similar attack happened just days before Christmas at the Spar store in Much Wenlock.
In Oswestry in April, thieves locked the gates of the police station before breaking into WH Smith in the town and stealing money from the cash machine. The amount stolen in the Oswestry raid is believed in the thousands.
Last week it was also revealed Market Drayton’s cash machines are statistically some of the most dangerous nationwide.
Crime figures show that one in 693 people are targeted at cash machines in the town, making it the ninth worst in the country for thefts per resident.
Anyone with information can call police on 101. Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or at crimestoppers-uk.org
