Ram raiders' strike at store foiled by soldiers

ATM was abandoned at scene

RAM raiders have struck at a Spar convenience store near Denison Barracks in Hermitage.

But they fled empty handed after soldiers ran to investigate.

The drama happened at around 3.25am on Tuesday, December 8, when the shop was ram-raided by an N plate, red Land Rover Defender with a number of men in it.

An ATM machine was dragged from the shop but it was at this point that the soldiers from the nearby Army Barracks disturbed the raiders, who made off in a black estate car.

The offenders abandoned the ATM machine and the red Land Rover but there was significant damage to the shop, which remained open but had to be boarded up.

The offenders are described as a group of men, who were all wearing hooded tops.

Investigating Officer, PC John O’Donovan, based at Newbury police station, said: “We are appealing for anyone who may have seen this incident to come forward.

“We would also like to speak to anyone who may have seen a red Land Rover and a black estate car, travelling on the roads surrounding Denison Barracks prior to the raid, or a black estate car moving away from Faircross.

“If you have any information please call the Thames Valley Police enquiries centre on 101”.

If you do not want to speak directly to the police you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.