Night Raiders Steal Cigarettes From Horsley Petrol Station

Published on: 27 Feb, 2013
Updated on: 1 Mar, 2013

The Shell Garage at Horsley where the cigarette robbery took place

A large quantity of cigarettes, understood to be worth £4000 to £5000, has been stolen from a petrol station in Horsley in a raid carried out yesterday (February 26th).

The incident happened sometime between 0.24am and 0.35am when two men drove up to the station in Guildford Road, got out onto the forecourt, before using an angle grinder to cut their way through window shutters and smashing their way into the shop.

A door, smashed in the robbery, boarded up

The intruders climbed over the counter to reach the cigarettes and made their getaway, at speed, along Ockham Road South in the direction of the A3.

The suspects are described as two men wearing dark coloured clothing. One is described as wearing a dark top with a white line or scarf around the collar and a white balaclava.

Detective Constable Andy Jenkins investigating is urging anyone who may have seen a dark coloured car in the area around the time of the incident and after the break-in.

He said: “I am keen to hear from anyone who may have witnessed the incident itself or seen a dark car being driven in a suspicious manner in the same vicinity in the lead up to the offence and a number of hours after the event. If anyone can help I would urge them to call me because their information may hold an essential detail which might help locate and bring these offenders to justice”

A member of staff at the garage said that the gang seemed to know what they were doing: “They seemed to allow time for the police to visit and deal with the incident before returning at about 4am to spray the surfaces with fluid to stop fingerprints being taken.”

Temporary Neighbourhood Commander Amy Buffoni said: “Residents can be reassured there are increased patrols in the Horsley area and that the Safer Neighbourhood Team is aware of the incident. This type of offence affects the whole community and I would urge anyone with information to call 101.”

Witnesses can pass information to Surrey Police on 101 quoting reference GD/13/1581. Alternatively the independent charity Crimestopprs can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111.