FURTHER details have emerged following a suspected ram raid which left a supermarket with "significant damage" in the early hours of the morning.
Sainsbury's on Station Road in Sunderland was targeted by thieves at around 2.45am on Friday (March 27) after a blue car was driven into the store's shutters.
Police have since confirmed that thieves managed to make off with a quantity of alcohol before fleeing the scene and had been involved in an earlier ram raid at Spar.
A spokesperson for Northumbria Police said: "At about 11.40pm yesterday (Thursday) we were called to Spar on North Hylton Road after a car had been driven into the shutters of the store, before making off empty-handed from the scene.
"Three hours later, shortly before 2.45am today, officers received a report that a car had been driven into the shutters at Sainsbury’s on Station Road, Fulwell, causing significant damage.
"Individuals then gained access to the store and stole a quantity of alcohol, before fleeing the area in the same vehicle.
"Police have since located a blue car which is believed to have been used in the Sainsbury’s offence burnt out in Ridley Street."
The force said that both incidents were now being treated as linked as an investigation had been launched.
Detective Inspector Neal Craig of Northumbria Police, said: “These are very serious incidents which have resulted in significant damage to two stores.
“It is especially disappointing that criminals have carried out these offences at a time when there is increased demand on supermarkets and crucial local services.
“An investigation has been launched into these two incidents, which we are currently treating as linked, and a team of detectives are now carrying out a range of enquiries to identify those responsible.
“Anyone who is found to have been involved can expect to be dealt with swiftly and robustly – and I would like to reiterate that this type of criminality is totally unacceptable.
“I would now ask anyone who has information about either of these incidents to come forward and contact us. Your information could prove the key to ensuring those responsible are brought to justice.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact us via the ‘Tell Us Something’ page quoting log 77 270320.
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