Police release images of ram-raid attack on village supermarket
The Echo revealed this week how two men, wearing balaclavas, drove what is believed to be a silver-coloured Vauxhall Astra panel van into the Nisa supermarket in Lapford, near Crediton.
The CCTV images show the pair pushing through glass in the door before they steal goods from the shop.
The footage, which is being reviewed by police, also shows the men run across the shop and jump over the counter where they break into the cigarette cabinet using a crowbar.
They then rip the shelves out of the cabinet and proceed to load cigarettes into bin bags.
Police hope someone might recognise the men from the images.
Detective Constable Sheon Stirland, from Tiverton CID, said: "They are wearing balaclavas, but someone might recognise their style of dress or may have seen something."
He added: "One image we have is of the vehicle pulling up outside. It is dark, but you can see the outline. They have covered the number plates with black cloth.
"If anyone saw, or has seen a similar vehicle, they should contact us."
Police also believe the incident, on Tuesday at 4.15am, could be linked to a similar shop theft on the same day in Dulverton, Somerset. The village is 20 miles from Lapford.
Police also believe that the van the thieves used was stolen.
DC Stirland said a sports version of a silver-coloured Astra panelled van was stolen on September 4 from Barnstaple. It has still to be found.
He added: "The CCTV footage has been analysed and the bin bags that were recovered from the scene of the crime in Lapford have been sent off for a fingerprinting process.
"Forensics have also conducted an examination on the shop shelving that was found dumped on Exmoor after the Lapford break-in."
An employee at the shop said staff were carrying out a stock check to assess what had been stolen.
Anyone with information about the incident should contact Tiverton CID on 08452 777444 or, alternatively, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.
