Witness appeal to shop '˜ram raid'

According to police, the suspects had used a Jeep Cherokee four-wheel-drive vehicle to smash into the front of the shop in Field Place Parade, The Strand, and drag out a cash machine which was loaded into the boot.

A nearby police patrol saw the jeep north bound in The Boulevard. As the police patrol vehicle came behind the jeep, the jeep stopped and reversed into the police Ford Mondeo, causing damage to the front of the car and minor injuries to the police officer driving it.

Police said it then travelled a short distance before the occupants abandoned it, getting into a nearby saloon car which had followed the jeep. The saloon then made off at speed with no lights on while turning east into Terringes Avenue towards the junction with Tarring Village.

A passer-by - a white man in a light coloured t-shirt - pointed police in the direction it had taken, but the vehicle was lost close to Tarring Village in the Rectory Road area.

The Jeep Cherokee and stolen cash machine were both recovered.

Detectives want to speak to anyone who witnessed the raid or subsequent pursuit, and in particular would appreciate contact from the passer-by who tried to help officers.

Anyone with information is asked to email [email protected] or phone 101, quoting serial 66 of 23/05.

Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 (www.crimestoppers-uk.org).

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