Thousands of pounds stolen in Rownhams Services robbery off M27
Staff were threatened with crowbars and sledgehammers as suspects targeted ATMs
Police are investigating a robbery at Rownhams Services near the M27, where thousands of pounds in cash were stolen during the early hours of Monday (15th December).
At around 2.51am, four masked men entered the service station and threatened three staff members with crowbars and sledgehammers. The employees were ordered to wait inside the men’s toilets as the suspects targeted two ATMs and a till.
Using a crowbar, an angle grinder, and a chainsaw, the men forced entry and sprayed a fire extinguisher inside one ATM. They also damaged a CCTV camera before escaping with a substantial amount of cash at approximately 3.15am.
Police appeal for witnesses
Detective Constable Bea Straker said: “Four men, all wearing face coverings and dark clothing, are believed to have carried out this robbery.
“As part of our enquiries we are reviewing CCTV, speaking to witnesses and a full forensic examination of the scene was carried out yesterday.
“We are appealing for anyone else with knowledge of the incident to come forward. We know there were people nearby at the petrol station and the HGV car park, and there may have even been people in the dog-walking area, around the time it happened.
“If you were there and saw or heard anything, we need to hear from you. If anyone parked in the car park has any Dashcam footage from their vehicles from around 2.30am to 3.30am on Monday 15 December, please contact us.
“This was a frightening ordeal for the staff involved, and any information that helps us identify and bring these offenders to justice is vital.”
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact police online or call 101, quoting 44250563275.