A RESTAURANT manager has described the dramatic moments ram raiders tried to smash their way into a Basingstoke shop.

John Watson had just returned from work to his home in Rooksdown in the early hours of Tuesday when he heard what he thought was a car crash.

However when the shattering bang was repeated time and again he realised it was actually the sound of robbers using a 4x4 car to smash the front doors and shutters of the Co-operative store in Limes Park.

The 26-year-old, who manages a restaurant in Reading, heard the noise at about 2.10am.

He told The Gazette: “At first it sounded like a car accident and then there was loud revving and repetitive hitting of the shop, so it was pretty obvious what was going on.

“They were going at it for a minute or so, trying to get in, and then I heard them shout, ‘Leave it!’

“When the first bang happened the alarm did not go off, but when they went again and again it went off and I heard them shouting. There was certainly a few of them.”

Mr Watson, who did not see the raid, called the police and they were quickly on the scene.

It is thought the robbers reversed a 4x4 vehicle into the shop front to gain entry. Police said an unsuccessful attempt was then made to remove the shop’s freestanding cash point.

The offenders then left the scene in the 4x4 vehicle, followed by another silver vehicle, police said.

The shop was taped off on Tuesday morning and scenes-of-crime officers could be seen examining the damaged shop.

It had reopened by yesterday morning.

No arrests had been made by the time The Gazette went to press and the police are appealing for information.

Detective Constable Chris Phillips, of Hampshire Constabulary, said: “Such an incident is likely to have caused a lot of noise in the local area and we are hoping that someone might have seen or heard something.”

Anyone with information can contact Det Con Phillips on the northern investigation on 101, quoting 44150081643, or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

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