Ramraiders flee empty-handed (From Witney Gazette)

Ramraiders flee empty-handed

9:30am Tuesday 2nd January 2007 in Witney

RAMRAIDERS smashed a car into the front window of an Oxfordshire convenience store but fled empty-handed after a passer-by raised the alarm.

The would-be thieves rammed a grey five-door Vauxhall Nova into the front of Fiveways Stores in Sturt Road, Charlbury, at about 12.40am on Saturday.

Police spokesman Rebecca Webber said a passer-by saw the smash and raised the alarm, prompting officers to launch the force helicopter and send out a team of dog handlers.

But she added the culprits had driven the car away and officers had been unable to track them down.

She said: "Nothing was stolen. The cigarette counter was intact, there had been no attempt to remove the ATM."

And Miss Webber said officers from the Serious Organised Crime Agency, or Soca, had been to scene to collect evidence and conduct interviews.

She said: "So far the vehicle hasn't been recovered and no vehicle of that description has been reported stolen.

"They ran straight into it. I would think it would have smashed the lights and crumpled the bonnet."

She said witnesses had led police to believe it had been a deliberate ramraid rather than an accident.

She said: "I think they realised someone had seen them and called the police and panicked."

Witnesses or anyone with information about the car should call Thames Valley Police on 08458 505505 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.