Crime
New plea in hunt for store raiders
ARMED robbers who raided a North-East supermarket got away with a five-figure sum, it has been revealed.
At least three masked robbers threatened security staff delivering cash cassettes for a cash machine at Somerfield, in Healaugh Park, Yarm, near Stockton, shortly after 1.30pm on Tuesday.
They made their escape in a distinctive kingfisher blue Mazda RX8. Police later found the vehicle abandoned in a nearby cul-de-sac off The Slayde, in Yarm, a short distance from where the robbery took place.
The car is believed to have been stolen, but contained cloned plates of a vehicle from another part of the country.
Police are carrying out a detailed forensic search of the vehicle in an attempt to identify the owner.
Door-to-door inquiries are continuing and officers are collecting CCTV footage from cameras in the area.
Last night, police repeated their appeal for witnesses who saw anyone behaving in a suspicious way, either before or at the time of the incident.
A spokeswoman for Cleveland Police said: "We believe three masked men threatened security staff with a hammer before stealing several cash cassettes containing a five-figure sum.
"It is believed the men ran along a footpath near the underpass leading to Yarm railway station. They then made off in another unknown vehicle, which police think was waiting for them."
Detective Inspector Dave Turnbull said it was still too early to positively link it with five other supermarket raids in the past 18 months.
Tesco stores in York, Eaglescliffe, Norton and Middlesbrough, and a Sainsbury's store in Stockton, have all been targeted. Detectives believe the incidents are connected to two gangs operating out of Manchester and Liverpool.
Det Insp Turnbull said: "It is too early to say the Somerfield raid is linked to the others. It is obviously something we are aware of and we are working with police forces in the North-East and North-West.
"There are lots of similarities, but we are keeping an open mind."
A spokeswoman for Somerfield, said: "Somerfield takes incidents such as this very seriously and will not tolerate violence of any kind towards our staff or colleagues.
"We will help the police in any way possible with their inquiries to ensure that those responsible are bought to justice. CCTV coverage has been handed over to police."
Anyone with information is asked to contact Det Insp Turnbull on 01642-302226 or Crimestoppers on 0800-555-111.
2:03am Thursday 1st May 2008
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