Police witness appeal as store badly damaged in early hours smash-and-grab

RAM RAIDERS STRUCK IN DEAD OF NIGHT AS THEY STOLE ATM AND MADE OFF IN PICKUP TRUCK

- By DYLAN HAYWARD [e-mail]

A VILLAGE supermarket was smashed into by a telehandler as its cash machine was stolen in a ram raid.

Residents of Markfield reacted with shock and frustration, with one saying the incident is part of a worrying trend that has seen the village plagued by crime in recent years.

Police received a call at 3.30am yesterday to report a telehandler - a heavy machine used in construction - had been driven through the front of the Londis store in Chitterman Way.

The store’s ATM was stolen after being loaded onto a white pickup truck, which left the scene heading towards London Road.

It was later found abandoned and on fire in Humble Lane, Ratcliffe on the Wreake.

The stolen telehandler was left at the location.