Cheltenham Co-op ram raid sees cash machine stolen

An investigation has been launched after a gang of thieves targeted a Midcounties Co-operative supermarket in Cheltenham, using a vehicle to ram through the storefront and steal a cash machine.

The incident took place shortly after 4:00 AM on Tuesday, February 6, 2024, at the Co-op store located on Bath Road. According to Gloucestershire Police, a group of four or five masked men used a Range Rover to reverse through the front window of the shop, causing extensive structural damage to the entrance.

Once inside, the suspects successfully loaded the store's ATM into the back of a waiting vehicle before fleeing the scene. Officers believe the getaway vehicle was a high-powered Audi or BMW, which was driven at speed towards the Tewkesbury area.

The stolen cash machine was later recovered by police after it was found abandoned in the back of a transit van. Despite the recovery of the ATM, the suspects remain at large, and police are appealing for witnesses or anyone with dashcam footage of the incident to come forward.

A spokesperson for the Midcounties Co-operative confirmed the store was closed temporarily to allow for repairs and structural safety checks. "We are working closely with the police to assist them in their investigations and are pleased to report that the store was able to safely reopen to customers the following day," they added.