Thieves have damaged the front of Crowland’s Co-Op attempting to rob an ATM machine using a fork lift truck and a 4×4 in the early hours of this morning.
The incident occurred shortly after 2.30am with damage having been sustained to the West Street shop’s front door.
However the store’s shutters appear to remain in tact and Lincolnshire Police believe the thieves failed to make away with anything.
A spokesman for the police said: “We were called at 02:34am this morning to an attempted ATM break at the Co-op store in Crowland on West Street.
“It is believed that a Mitsubishi 4×4 vehicle and a fork lift were used in an attempt to take the ATM.
“Nothing was taken but structural damage was caused to the premises.
“The Mitsubishi was found burnt out at the junction of West Bank, Crowland. The fork-lift was left at the scene, and we are investigating whether this was stolen locally. It is believed both vehicles approached the store from the direction of the river on West Street.
“We are appealing to witnesses to the ATM break, or the Mitsubishi being burnt out, to contact us on 101 quoting incident 25 of 16/04.
“If you saw anything suspicious, including a fork-life being driven in the area leading up to 2am this morning, please get in touch.”
Alternatively, email [email protected] quoting incident 25 of 16/04, or call the Crimestoppers charity anonymously on 0800 555 111.”
A spokesman for Lincolnshire Co-Op, said: “We will be working closely with the police on their investigation.
“We’re now working as hard as possible to get the store open as soon as we can.”