Thieves target Co-op in Rickinghall in early morning raid for cigarettes

Thieves stole a ‘large quantity’ of cigarettes in an early morning raid today at a Suffolk village store.

Police received a report, at about 1.15am, of a burglary that had taken place at the Co-Op store in The Street, Rickinghall.

It is believed the suspects broke in through a rear door and stole the cigarettes from behind the checkout, damaging the shutters in the process.

Three offenders were believed to be involved – all were wearing dark clothing. One had a light coloured backpack and wore a white face covering; a second wore a light coloured hood and was carrying a crowbar and wore a mask and the third wore a camouflage design hood and a white face covering.

All three appeared to be carrying bed sheets or duvet covers to make off with the stolen property.

Inquires are ongoing and anyone who knows who was responsible or saw any suspicious activity should contact Bury St Edmunds police, via 101 quoting crime number: 37/28658/23.

Alternatively, Contact the independent charity Crimestoppers 100% anonymously on 0800 555 111, or via their online form: www.crimestoppers-uk.org

This is not the first time the store has been targeted.

In 2017, the Diss Express reported the Co-op had been ram raided in an attempt to steal its cash machine.

A Mitsubishi L200 pick-up was reversed through the main entrance of the building and suspects tried to remove the cash machine from inside – which was unsuccessful – before making off in a silver BMW X5 in the direction of the A140.