Bungling ramraiders who caused thousands of pounds of damage to a newsagents made off with just a few boxes of cigarettes.
The gang used a Jeep-style vehicle to smash in the front of Martin’s in Central Parade, New Addington, in the early hours of October 17.
CCTV showed the criminals repeatedly smashing the steel shutters of the store during the nine-minute raid, eventually breaking through on their fifth attempt.
The store manager, who did not wish to be named, said: “It was total carnage. There was no shop front left, all the shutters were bent in and the counter was moved five feet towards the back of the shop.
“I think they thought it would be easy, but it took them about five hits to get the window through.
“We were ram-raided nearly four years ago, but all they took both times was a few fags.
“We don’t know how many yet, I haven’t had a chance to see, but it’s definitely not many.
“I’ve still got plenty of cigarettes left to sell so we’ve got enough stock.”
The shop was closed all day Saturday following the raid, but a 21-hour cleaning-up shift from the manager meant it was open again the next morning.
A Croydon police spokeswoman said: “Police are investigating a burglary that occurred on 16 October at 1.29am at Martins Newsagents in Central Parade, New Addington.
“Suspects unknown are believed to have used a dark coloured 4 x 4 vehicle to ram the shutters at the front of the premises in order to gain access to the shop.
“Once inside they have stolen a quantity of cigarettes.
“Suspects are believed to have made-off in the vehicle towards Arnhem Drive.”
No arrests had been made as the Croydon Guardian went to press.
Ramraiders made off with about £7,000 from the nearby Martin’s in Headley drive in September 2008, attacking a 71-year-old paperboy during the raid.
The McColl’s store in Calley Down Crescent, which is part of the same chain, had been targeted a fortnight earlier.
Did you see what happened, or get any pictures of the raid? Contact Mike Didymus on 020 8330 9556, or email mdidymus@london.newsquest.co.uk
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