Cash machine taken in ram raid on shop.

Byline: By BEN GRIFFIN Crime Reporter [e-mail]

A GANG of thieves smashed a car through the front of a shop in a ram raid in a quiet Coventry suburb last night.

A silver Vauxhall Carlton mowed through the front of Fourbouys in Green Lane South, Finham, at 10.30pm yesterday.

The gang loaded a free-standing cash machine from the shop into a white Ford Escort van and drove away, leaving the Vauxhall.

The force helicopter was scrambled.

The van was found abandoned on the A46, between the Toll Bar Island and Brandon Road later.

The cash machine was also in the van and it is believed the gang fled empty-handed.

A third car, a silver Vauxhall Golf, thought to have been used in the raid, was found on the B4115, near the Chesford Grange Hotel at Leek Wootton.

Det Insp Matt Markham, of Chace Avenue Police, said detectives think the vehicles were all in Daleway Road, Green Lane, near the scene of the raid, before they struck.

He said: "It is fair to say this would have made a considerable amount of noise. Perhaps nearby residents who have not yet realised what's happened can contact CID at Chace Avenue."

All three vehicles used in the raid were stolen.

The Vauxhall, registration E239 FCP, was stolen in Tamworth. The Escort van, N635 XWC, was taken from Clifford Bridge Road, Walsgrave, on Wednesday.

The Golf was stolen from Cannon Hill Road, Cannon Park, Coventry, on May 22.

Det Insp Markham urged anyone who had seen the vehicles since they were stolen to contact police on 0845 113 5000 or Crimestoppers, on 0800 555 111.