Vivid images of the gang who smashed their way into Aldi supermarket in Chatteris in the early hours of Monday were released this afternoon.
The clarity of the video is stunning – the gang is seen twice reversing a stolen Land Rover into the store in their bid to grab the ATM machine.
Thousands of pounds worth of damage was caused to the frontage as the ram raiders gained entry.
The video shows gang members desperately trying to shift the vehicle after it became wedged behind the Land Rover.
The attack on Aldi began just before 4am when the group of men used the stolen Land Rover Defender to smash through the front entrance.
They removed the cash machine and then fled the scene in what is believed to be a dark Volkswagen Golf. The last sighting of the vehicle was on the B1040 at Somersham heading towards St Ives.
Officers are working closely with the Eastern Region Special Operations Unit (ERSOU) in relation to the series of this type of offence in an effort to establish any links.
Detective Sergeant Mark Plitsch said: “I’d appeal to anyone who has information about this incident to get in touch as a matter of urgency.
“In addition to tracing the Volkswagen Golf, we would like to speak to the driver of a light coloured hatchback seen to be circling the A141 Slade End roundabout at the time of the offence to eliminate them from our enquiries. We have a partial registration plate of SR16.
“Overnight patrols have been stepped up in the area and at other vulnerable locations. We ask that people remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity around cash machine locations.”
Anyone with information regarding this incident should call police on 101 quoting CF0054390118 or visit www.cambs.police.uk/report. Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111 or via www.crimestoppers-uk.org.
Timeline of burglaries and ram raids in Cambridgeshire since mid-October:
October 17: A property in Columbine Road, Ely, was broken into and a pair of Nike trainers was taken.
November 17: A stolen Range Rover was used in an attempted ram raid at a Co-op service station on Ness Road, Burwell.
November 19: Cash and jewellery stolen from an address in Longfields, Ely.
November 22: Cash and jewellery stolen from an address in Hertford Close, Ely.
November 26: Cash and jewellery stolen from an address in Norfolk Road, Ely.
December 3: Thieves broke into The Deli @ 65 on High Street, Sutton, and caused damage to fridges, freezers and locks. They also stole hundreds of pounds worth of food and alcohol.
December 5: A man entered the post office in Main Street, Stow cum Quy, and approached the till area, pulled a knife out and threatened staff before taking the cash drawer from the till.
December 7: Thieves broke into an address in Hillside Meadow, Fordham, and stole jewellery.
December 8: Thieves returned to The Deli @ 65 stealing the till, locks, food and drink.
December 9: Costcutter in Main Street, Littleport, was hit by ram-raiders. Three people stole a cash machine after smashing into it in a car; the shop was left with smashed windows and doors and a bollard outside were also knocked over.
December 10: Four people broke into the Co-op store on Wisbech Road, Littleport, and stole cigarettes at around 1.10am.
December 11: Four men forced their way into the Soham branch of Asda in Clay Street, on Monday, stealing cigarettes before leaving the area.
December 13: Thieves burgled an address in Trinity Close, Fordham, and stole jewellery.
December 15: Thieves broke into properties in Collins Hill and Murfitt’s Lane, Fordham. Jewellery was stolen in both incidents.
December 15: Night raiders used a teleporter and a fork lift truck in a midnight ram raid on the BP garage at Littleport.
January 3: Thieves forced a gas store open and stole four oxygen cylinders from the Princess of Wales Hospital in Ely.
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