Masked men armed with crowbars and sledgehammers raid Rownhams Services off M27

Four masked men armed with crowbars and sledgehammers have stolen thousands of pounds from the Rownhams Services off the M27 in Southampton.

The group arrived at the eastbound service station at 2:51am on Monday. (15 December)

They threatened three members of staff with weapons and ordered them to go inside the men’s toilets where they were told to wait.

The suspects then forced open two ATMs and a till using a crowbar, an angle grinder and a chainsaw.

They sprayed the ATM with a fire extinguisher and smashed one of the CCTV cameras using a crowbar before making off at 3.15am with a substantial amount of cash.

Detective Constable Bea Straker said: “Four men, all wearing face coverings and dark clothing, are believed to have carried out this robbery.

“As part of our enquiries we are reviewing CCTV, speaking to witnesses and a full forensic examination of the scene was carried out yesterday.

“We are appealing for anyone else with knowledge of the incident to come forward. We know there were people nearby at the petrol station and the HGV car park, and there may have even been people in the dog‑walking area, around the time it happened.

"If you were there and saw or heard anything, we need to hear from you.

"If anyone parked in the car park has any Dashcam footage from their vehicles from around 2.30am to 3.30am on Monday 15 December, please contact us.

“This was a frightening ordeal for the staff involved, and any information that helps us identify and bring these offenders to justice is vital.

"Anyone with information should contact us online or on 101 quoting 44250563275."

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