A MAN has described how he was awoken to see a pair of balaclava clad would-be thieves trying to rip a cash machine out of the ground just yards from his home.
The eye witness, who did not want to be named, said police were moments away from catching the crooks as the dramatic episode unfolded in the early hours of Monday morning (April 14) in the middle of Barnards Green.
He said: “I woke up to a bang, looked outside and there was a Shogun with a steel wire around the door of the cash machine trying to pull it off.
“At the same time I was on the phone to the police telling them ‘if you get someone here now you will catch them’.
“Either the wire snapped or they just decided to leave it.
“The Shogun did a U-turn and sped off.”
The Barnards Green Road resident said the incident began about 2.34am and took about eight minutes in total, with officers arriving less than five minutes after the unsuccessful duo got away.
He said the Mitsubishi Shogun headed towards Geraldine Road while a Black Ford Focus which was also at the scene sped off towards Guarlford Road.
The entire raid attempt was captured on CCTV and has been passed to police who cordoned off the area surrounding the free standing Link cash machine outside of T P Travel Services and Heritage Floors.
The door of the ATM is visibly mangled, while fittings inside have been ripped out, although the safe at the bottom appears to be intact.
A West Mercia Police spokesman said it was possible the two vehicles later met up further down Guarlford Road.
He confirmed the two people involved in the incident were believed to be male, were both wearing balaclavas while one was in a light coloured body warmer.
The spokesman confirmed they were continuing inquiries and speaking to shopkeepers in the area.
He urged any further witnesses to contact police on 101 using the reference number 0043s 140414 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
