Theft of ATM from Richhill store condemned
Police are continuing to appeal for information following the theft of an ATM from a store at Richhill.
The theft took place on Tuesday 20th December when at approximately 4.45am a digger was used to rip the cash machine from the wall. Police said they believed the digger had previously been stolen from a building site nearby.
Described as a “shameful attack on an independent retailer” by Retail NI, the incident drew criticism from many in the locality, who said the community was now left without a vital service in the run-up to Christmas.
The incident also brought back some painful memories for retailers across Northern Ireland who had been victims of similar attacks in recent years, when large machinery was used to tear ATMs from walls.
The store on the Portadown Road is owned by Philip Woods, who described the theft as “devastating”.
Detective Inspector Handley said police received a report of “suspicious activity” in the area shortly after 4.45am.
INFORMATION APPEAL
“On the arrival of officers, a digger was located on fire and a built-in cash machine had been stolen from the premises, causing substantial damage to the building.
“Our colleagues from the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service attended and extinguished the fire. We believe the digger was stolen from a site a short distance away.
“Two men were observed wearing dark clothing as they placed the ATM into a trailer and then set fire to the digger before leaving in a white van towards the Portadown Road.
“We have since recovered the van, trailer and ATM on the Moy Road and a full investigation is now underway to determine the circumstances surrounding this theft.
“I am appealing to anyone who was in the area between 4.30am and 4.45am and saw what happened, or who has information which could assist our investigation to call us.
“In particular, I am appealing to anyone who saw a white van towing a trailer in the Portadown and Moy Road areas to get in touch with detectives by calling 101, quoting reference 183 of 20/12/22.”
