The CCTV footage shows the vehicle repeatedly reversing into a store in Bradford, West Yorkshire. Police are appealing for information after 90% of the stock was taken
Shocking footage shows ram raid on computer shop that left owner £50k down
Shocking footage shows a late-night ram raid on a computer store that has put the owner more than £50,000 out of pocket.
CCTV shows an SUV repeatedly reversing into the Magic Touch Computers and Mobiles store in Bradford, West Yorkshire, in the raid earlier this month.
Footage shows the driver then entering the store and snatching several phones and laptops. He then flees the scene and manages to get away, despite store owner Umar Siddique hot on his tail.
Heartbroken Mr Siddique, who opened the store eight years ago, said the thief made off with around 90% of his stock, worth around £40,000. He added that a further £10,000 worth of damage was caused when the thief rammed into the storefront.
Despite West Yorkshire Police having launched an investigation, Mr Siddique says he isn’t hopeful of them catching the culprit. He said: “I’m in shock. It’s a very stressful time.
“When someone attacks your livelihood like that, what can you say? I’ve made a lot of sacrifices for [this business].
“For this to happen now is really hard. Someone has ruined my shop.”
Mr Siddique added that he was notified of his store alarm going off at around 5am last Thursday (November 13), and tried to pursue the thief. He added: “I checked the cameras, saw what had happened and drove to my shop.
“When I got there, the criminal drove off. I tried to chase him, but he reversed into my car twice so I couldn’t go after him any further.”
Mr Siddique added that though he’d informed West Yorkshire Police about the offence, he has little faith in the force catching the culprit. He said: “Going on past experiences, I have zero confidence they’ll investigate this properly or find those who did it.
“They come, they give you a crime reference number and basically say, ‘See you later, take it up with your insurance company, goodbye’.”
West Yorkshire Police identified that the vehicle used in the daring ram-raid was a dark Toyota Land Cruiser. A spokesperson for the force said: “Police are appealing for information after thieves drove into a storefront in Bradford.
“Enquiries remain ongoing into the burglary offence at the Magic Touch Computers and Mobiles store, which took place just before 5am on Thursday. A dark-coloured Toyota Land Cruiser repeatedly drove into shutters at the front of the Leeds Road business, causing significant damage.
“The vehicle made off up Leeds Road, turned right onto Canal Road and then up Bolton Road. Anyone who has information or relevant CCTV is asked to contact Bradford police on 101, referencing police crime number 13250653547.
“Information can also be given online at www.westyorkshire.police.uk/livechat or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
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