Police step up hunt for ram-raiders that ripped cash machine off Waterlooville Tesco Express store wall with JCB

In the early hours of yesterday morning, criminals used a JCB to tear off a cash machine at a Tesco Express store.

The burglary happened at roughly 3.45am in Lovedean Lane, Waterlooville.

As previously reported in The News, a Hampshire Constabulary spokeswoman said: ‘Police were called at 3.45am this morning to reports of a burglary at Tesco Express, Lovedean Lane.

‘It has been reported that offenders were seen to be using a JCB to break into the ATM.

‘The incident is currently under investigation.’

Cash machines were brazenly targeted by a gang in a £1.2m crime spree across Hampshire, Dorset and Surrey, between 2019 and 2020.

Lives were put at risk in a string of 14 attempted ATM explosions.

Money was successfully taken from three machines but resulted in a total of £255,928 in damages and losses.

During the gang’s sentencing, Winchester Crown Court heard they would break open machines, filling them with gas and then lighting them, attempting to steal spoils after the explosions.

SEE ALSO: Brazen Hampshire gang sentenced to 50 years collectively following £1.2m crime spree involving burglaries and blowing up cash points

The group were jailed to a combined total of more than 50 years.

Hampshire Constabulary are continuing their enquiries into the Lovedean Lane burglary.

The Tesco Express is still closed and the area where the cash machine was is boarded up.

A police spokesman said: ‘No arrests have been made at this stage. Anyone with information about the incident or may have seen or recorded what happened should contact us on 101 or report online quoting 44220430718.’