Alveley JCB ram-raid: Gang's accents may be clue to attack
A gang of men with Black Country accents could hold the key to a ram-raid attack which demolished the front of a takeaway restaurant near Bridgnorth.
Ram-raiders destroyed the front of the Indian takeaway with a JCB to gain access to a recently-installed cash machine.
Rubble, wood and twisted metal covered the path outside Alveley Tandoori in Cooks Close, Alveley.
Neighbours reported hearing "reversing noises" and a loud bang at just before 3am on March 9, but did not think anything of it until seeing the damage in the morning.
Police are searching for four men "with Dudley accents" who are believed to have taken the JCB digger from a nearby location in Kidderminster Road.
The digger was left abandoned by the thieves on the side of the pathway just outside the restaurant before they escaped in a silver or light-coloured pick-up truck.
Now they are appealing for anybody who might have seen or heard something to come forward to help in their investigations.
Police spokesman Paul Roberts said police investigations are ongoing.
He said: "One witness had reported describing them as having Dudley accents.
"If anyone has any information they should call the police on 101."
Crowds were gathered around the JCB, taking pictures and talking about the incident.
The shop next door, Alveley Foodstores, remained open despite the damage to the attached takeaway and a steady stream of customers were going in and out to find out what had happened.
Owners of the building were on hand to see the damage, but said the scene "spoke for itself."
It's just the latest incident of this type in the Bridgnorth area.
Thieves ram-raided a shop in High Street, Bridgnorth, in the early hours of December 28, stealing perfume and gift sets.Two adults and a teenage girl were later arrested in connection with the offence.
A 32-year-old man from Walsall was arrested on suspicion of burglary, dangerous driving and driving while disqualified. He has since been bailed pending further inquiries.
A 27-year-old woman and the teenage 14-year-old girl , also from Walsall, were arrested on suspicion of theft of a motor vehicle and have also been bailed pending further inquiries.
The shop closed for one day but was reopened by December 29.
