Shocking CCTV footage captured the moment two burglars broke into a filling station in Cornwall and stole goods. The footage shows the pair rifling through drawers and scooping up hundreds of cigarettes and packets of tobacco.
The thieves targeted Westways Filling Station at Tregaswith, near St Columb Major at around 5am yesterday (Monday, January 6). Two Spar shops around Newquay were also targeted in break-ins over the weekend. Devon and Cornwall Police is currently investigating whether or not the incidents were linked.
The force said two suspects forced entry to Westways Filling Station shop and stole cigarettes, tobacco and alcohol before fleeing the scene. CCTV footage from the site – which you can watch at the top of this article – shows two people going behind the till desk and forcing the cigarette drawers open before taking the contents out and putting them in black bin bags.
As a result of the break-in, owners Sandra and Nick Lomax were forced to shut the shop for most of the morning yesterday while they cleared the damage. The shop was reopened at around midday but the couple said they were unable to sell cigarettes or tobacco.
A spokesperson for Devon and Cornwall Police said: “Police are investigating following two break-ins and an attempted break-in at commercial premises in the Newquay area. Officers were called following a break-in at Spar in Quintrell Downs shortly after 3am on Sunday 5 January. Two suspects forced entry and stole cigarettes before leaving the scene.
“An attempted break-in was reported at Spar at Tower Road, Newquay, overnight between Saturday 4 January and Sunday 5 January. Entry wasn’t gained and nothing was stolen.
“Officers were then called at around 5am on Monday 6 January following a report of a commercial burglary at a filling station at Tregaswith near Newquay. Two suspects forced entry to the premises and stole cigarettes, tobacco and alcohol before leaving the scene.”
The spokesperson said enquiries remain ongoing. Anybody who witnessed any of the incidents or who has information that may help police is asked to call 101 or visit our website quoting 50250002806.
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