Ram-raiders target new Co-op store in Tow Law

Jan 23 2009 By Kerry Wood

RAM-RAIDERS smashed into a superstore early this morning in a bid to seize the cash machine.

Shoppers and commuters travelling through Tow Law, County Durham, today will be met with the unusual sight of a JCB sticking out of the Co-op Supermarket.

Still firmly wedged in the front of the High Street store, the heavy duty construction truck cannot be moved until a structural survey of the building has been carried out.

Durham Police were alerted to the robbery at 1.50am today.

It only opened its doors to customers last November after the petrol station on the site closed down in 2002.

The hole-the-in-wall was the focus of the attempted ram-raid but thieves escaped empty-handed as the cash machine was later found still at the scene, buried under mounds of rubble.

Insp Sue Robinson, of Crook Police, said: "Our officers are out at the scene as the JCB is still there while we await a structural survey of the building because of the damage caused.

"We don’t think at this stage any cash was taken as the machine was found buried under bricks and debris."

Failing in their raid the group of men, the exact number unknown, made off in a stolen Ford Transit van.

Officers later discovered the get-away vehicle dumped nearby.

A Durham Police spokesman said: "A number of people heard what was going on and alerted police to the raid.

"We are now appealing for anyone else with information to contact us."

Any witnesses to the raid should contact police on (0345) 60 60 365 or Crimestoppers on (0800) 555 111.