Bungling raiders take empty ATM (From Chelmsford Weekly News)

Bungling raiders take empty ATM

5:52pm Wednesday 27th February 2008

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CLUELESS ramraiders smashed their way into a shop and stole a cash machine...failing to notice it was out of order and empty.

Thieves struck at the Mace Express convenience store, formerly the Sunnymede post office, in Greens Farm Lane, Billericay, at 1.15am yesterday.

A silver Volvo C70 convertible was reversed through the front window and two men were seen following the car inside.

A chain, attached to the vehicle, was wrapped around a cash machine and the car surged forward, yanking free the dispenser which was drilled into the floor.

It was then lifted into the car before the thieves sped away.

Shocked store manager, Baheerathan Thayapararasa, 32, who lives upstairs, said: "They couldn't have been regular customers, as they would have realised the Post Office had been shut for two weeks and the cash machine was empty and out of order.

"I thought there had been an earthquake or a bomb blast at first.

"I looked outside and there was a car poking through the shop window.

"The whole thing was over in about a minute."

Yesterday, structural engineers had to be called into assess the stability of the building.

The getaway car, which police believe was stolen from South London, was found abandoned in Prince Edward Road, Billericay, at about 2am.

Police searched the area, but no one was found.

Two men, who lifted the cash machine into the car, were white and aged between twenty and thirty.

One was wearing a dark hooded top with light tracksuit bottoms.

The other wore dark trousers, a light T-shirt and had light-coloured hair.

A third suspect was believed to be driving the car, but police have no description.

Anyone with information should call 01245 491491.

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