Ram-Raids In Roydon And Harlow Are Linked, Say Police
Following on from our previous blog about a ram-raid theft in Roydon, a recent report in the Harlow Star states that Essex police have linked three ram-raid style thefts of cash machines, including the Roydon incident we covered in October. The crimes all took place within a month from the end of August to the end of September, at various retail locations.
The first of the three thefts happened on August 28th at approximately 03:15 am. The target was The Food Store’s ATM in The Chase, Harlow. A five figure sum of money was stolen when a red Mitsubishi Shogun rammed the shutters on the retail premises, after reversing into them. As the vehicle had been abandoned at the scene, it was subsequently seized for forensic examination.
The next ram-raid occurred on September 16th at 02:00 am in Roydon High Street. A fork lift truck was used to force entry through a window of the McColl’s shop on the High Street in Roydon. Up to four men were involved with the crime and they loaded the cash machine onto the a red Toyota Hilux pick-up truck. The ATM and the truck were all later found in Occupation Lane close to the cricket ground at 02:50 am. A white Kia Sportage car was also found in close proximity. The fork lift truck, Toyota Hilux and Kia were all reported as stolen within 48 hours of the offence taking place.
Most recently on 28th September just before 01:45 am, a stolen JCB digger had been used to remove an ATM from the wall outside Martins newsagents in Prentice Place, Potter Street, Harlow. The cash machine was then seen being loaded onto the back of a van/pick up truck and was driven off with an accompanying red car. The red car is thought to be an Audi.
There are potentially eight suspects that are involved with the theft that occured on 28th September. in addition to the damage of the newsagents and theft of the ATM, a window on another car was damaged. The car was a red Kia C’eed.
A spokes person from the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate, DCI Stuart Smith stated …
“We now believe all three thefts are linked and we are carrying out extensive enquiries to find out who is responsible and bring them to justice … There have been a number of similar incidents across the eastern region and we are working closely with our colleagues in the Eastern Region Special Operations Unit … As well as appealing for anyone with information to come forward, I would also particularly ask people such as taxi drivers and lorry drivers who are out on the road late at night or in the early hours of the morning to be on the look-out for forklift trucks, telehandlers and similar vehicles being driven around … It is unusual for this type of machinery to be on public roads at these times … I would also urge farmers and construction workers to make sure their vehicles are stored securely and ideally fitted with tracking devices.”
If you have any information that could help with any of the aforementioned crimes, then please call the Serious and Organised Crime Unit on 101 or Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
Should you require any help or guidance regarding the security of either your business premises or private residence, then please do not hesitate to call Davis Locksmiths for free on 0800 093 6270or mobile 07956 345006.
With thanks to @ShayDukey for the use of the photograph of Potter Street, Harlow.