Police Appeal For Witnesses Following Ram Raid in Roydon
The Harlow Star have recently reported on a police appeal, following a theft that took place in the early hours (02:00am) of Wednesday 16th Spebtember 2015, in Roydon. A fork lift truck had been used to ram through the shop frontage of the McColl’s store, situated on the High Street. After smashing through the wall, the Manitoba brand of fork lift was used to manoeuvre the shop’s cash point machine onto the back of a waiting red Toyota Hilux pick-up vehicle. Police have stated that up to four men were involved in the crime and have had reports that some/all of the men were carrying knives.
The thieves made their escape from the crime scene in both the Toyota pick up and an additional vehicle – a white Kia Sportage car. Both of the get away cars were stolen. The car and truck were found shortly after, abandoned down a farm track just outside of Roydon. The forklift truck was later found on the High Street, which had been shut in order for the forensic teams to gather evidence.
Detective Inspector Greg Wood stated …
“An extensive search was started as soon as the first officers arrived on scene. Numerous members of the public called our control room to report what they had seen and this information was relayed to officers searching nearby and to units across the west of the county and in Hertfordshire … A number of people were evacuated from flats above the badly damaged building and police officers liaised with the local council emergency planning officers to arrange temporary accommodation for them … It seems that the thieves had planned to hide the ATM, truck and car off a farm track but thanks to the information received from the public we were able to find the cash machine and vehicles before the suspects could return … We are now seeking information about the movements of the vehicles in the few hours before the burglary, especially the forklift truck which is not the usual sort of vehicle to be seen on public roads late at night.”
Any persons who have yet to speak to the police or any witnesses with photographs, a video or information about the movements of the pick-up, forklift or the car, should contact the police at Loughton CID on 101. Alternatively you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.