ATM Thieves Use Telehandler to Smash Into Village Shop and Flee With Machine

Police in Leicestershire have launched an investigation after thieves used a telehandler to ram through the front of a shop in Markfield and steal a cash machine. Officers received a call at around half past three on Monday morning reporting that heavy machinery had been driven straight into the building on Chitterman Way. The suspects then lifted the ATM into a white pickup truck before speeding away. The dramatic raid shocked residents, many of whom described the usually peaceful area as the last place where they expected such an incident.

Burned Out Getaway Vehicle Found Nearby

The white pick-up used to transport the ATM was later discovered abandoned and on fire in Humble Lane, Ratcliffe on the Wreake, about twenty minutes from the scene. Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service notified police of the burning vehicle at around twenty past five. Meanwhile, the telehandler used to break into the shop was left behind at the scene. Detectives believe the suspects likely switched to another vehicle after setting the truck alight in an apparent attempt to destroy evidence and cover their tracks.

Police Appeal for Information

Detective Chief Inspector Tom Allard said officers were working to piece together the movements of all the vehicles involved in the raid. He stressed that the incident caused not only the theft of the ATM but also significant structural damage to the building, leaving the shop badly affected. Police are urging anyone who saw the vehicles, heard unusual noise during the early morning hours or noticed suspicious activity to come forward. Investigators say even small details could help them trace the suspects or uncover further evidence.

Shockwaves Through the Local Community

The raid has left many residents in Markfield shaken. Eighty four year old George McKie said the level of destruction left him “absolutely gobsmacked”. He explained that he has lived in the village for more than a decade and never imagined seeing such a crime in what he called a “sleepy hollow”. McKie expressed concern for older residents who rely heavily on nearby services. With the post office now damaged, he said the incident would cause serious inconvenience for those without transport.

Villagers Describe the Scene as Heartbreaking

Sharon Hall, who has lived in Markfield for ten years, said she was stunned to see the aftermath. She described the damage as “heartbreaking” and said nothing like this had ever happened in the village before. Hall added that although Markfield is usually quiet, incidents like this seem to be becoming more common in many communities. For locals, the destruction and disruption have been difficult to absorb, and many are still struggling to come to terms with the shocking sight of a shopfront torn apart in the early hours.

A Community Left Searching for Answers

As police continue to gather evidence and speak to witnesses, the people of Markfield are left dealing with both the practical and emotional impact of the raid. The shop remains badly damaged, and residents worry about the long term effects on local services they depend on. While the investigation is still in its early stages, detectives hope that public information and surveillance footage will help them identify those responsible. For now, a quiet village is left unsettled by a crime more associated with organised gangs than rural life.