Ram Raid Described 'Like a Bomb Had Gone Off' Devastates Stockton Bike Shop

STOCKTON-ON-TEES, United Kingdom — The owner of a popular local bike shop has described the aftermath of a devastating overnight ram raid as looking "like a bomb had gone off" inside the premises.

The incident occurred at approximately 2:00 am on Saturday, April 12, 2025, at Skinnergate Cycles on Brunswick Street in Stockton-on-Tees. A black vehicle was driven directly into the shop's front security shutters, causing massive structural damage to the store's entrance and interior displays.

Surveillance footage captured two masked individuals dressed in dark clothing entering the shop through the destroyed entrance. The suspects targeted and stole two high-value electric bicycles before fleeing the scene.

Cleveland Police officers responded rapidly to reports of the break-in. Within 45 minutes, officers managed to locate and recover one of the stolen e-bikes, valued at over £3,000, though the bike had sustained damage. The second bike—a medium-sized Cube Stereo Hybrid ONE44 HPC valued at approximately £4,000—remains missing.

Store owner Grant Maciver expressed deep frustration, noting that this was the second time the business had been targeted within eight months. Due to skyrocketing insurance premiums and a high excess fee from the previous break-in, the business faces a severe financial challenge to repair the thousands of pounds in physical damage without filing a claim.

Cleveland Police have launched an appeal for witnesses, dashcam footage, or information regarding the suspect vehicle and the missing Cube e-bike.