Shocking footage showed the moment a ram raid gang smashed into a Co-op using a huge telehandler.
The store’s cash point was hit and a large sum of money was stolen.
At least four people are believed to have been involved in the break-in.
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They were seen arriving at the scene in three different vehicles, all stolen from nearby properties.
The smash-and-grab happened in Plympton, Devon, when a John Deere telehandler rammed the wall and was used to lift the heavy cash box.
Devon and Cornwall Police said it is believed the incident was carried out by a highly sophisticated and organised criminal gang connected to several other ram-raid burglaries across the country in the past four months, as reported by Need To Know.
Det Con Andrew Trott-Rodgers said police were working closely with other forces where the incidents believed to be linked to the ram-raid took place.
He said: “We have trawled through CCTV but we believe this gang stuck to known back roads to avoid detection and members would have been in the area prior to the incident to carry out a recce.
“In the footage, all four were dressed in dark clothing and had their hoods up and faces covered.
“What we know is that the telehandler, the truck and trailer in the footage are from the Smithaleigh area of Plympton, near and around Piggeries Farm.
“We believe the telehandler was taken from there between 5.30pm on Sunday 1 February and 1.30am on Monday 2 February.
“The Navara was stolen between 12.20am and 12.30am on Downfield Drive.
“They arrived at the Co-op in the stolen vehicles and all apart from the telehandler were found burnt out in a forest nearby at a Sparkwell paintball site between 1.40am and 4am.
“It is thought they are likely to have stayed in the area prior to the incident, so we would like to hear from anyone who runs an Airbnb or a bed and breakfast/guest house who had a booking from four men over the weekend of Saturday 31 January and Sunday 1 February.
“Witnesses who may have seen anything suspicious in the early hours of Monday 2 February around Downfield Drive, Glen Road and Language in Plympton, or Smithaleigh also still being sought.”
Police are asking residents who live in these areas to call 101 if they have doorbell camera or dashcam footage that could assist the officers, quoting 50260027042.
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