Cigarette Burglary At Morrison’s In Market Drayton

Police have appealed for information after two masked men broke into a Market Drayton supermarket and stole a large amount of cigarettes, while staff worked in another part of the store.

Morrison's in Maer Lane was targeted just after 4am on Wednesday 15 August 2012, before the offenders made off at speed in a black Audi A6.

They broke in through the main door and managed to force access to a locked storage room near the cigarette kiosk at the front of the store, using bins from the premises to move cigarettes and tobacco to their vehicle.

Several members of staff had been working in another part of the store when one spotted the offenders, who ran back to their car and drove away at speed towards The Gingerbread Man island and up the A53 towards Newcastle Under Lyme.

The car is believed to have been a current model, black Audi A6 estate, with a powerful, loud engine and distinctive chrome roof bars.

At this stage it is not known exactly how much was stolen.

Police Constable Mark Milton, of Market Drayton Police Station, appealed for anyone who might have seen the vehicle or its occupants in the area at the time, or in the days immediately before the burglary, to contact police on 101 as a matter of urgency.

"CCTV from the store and nearby area is being examined and we are also liaising with neighbouring forces, including Staffordshire and Cheshire Police, to try and identify the offenders," he said.

Both offenders were white and wearing dark clothing. One was about 6ft in height with dark hair and wearing a dark blue jacket, dark hat and had a scarf covering his face.

The other was shorter at about 5ft 7in in height and of stocky build with broad shoulders. He was wearing a black jumper and trousers, a balaclava over his head and face and had thick eyebrows with dark eyes.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101 or the anonymous Crimestoppers number 0800 555 111, where a reward is sometimes offered.

Issued: Wednesday, 15 August 2012