Two men steal £4,000 worth of cigarettes in Ferndown shop

Two men, wearing balaclavas, forced entry into SAM Convenience Store in Wimborne Road East with a metal crowbar in the early hours of October 8. 

One man enters the shop with a large green basket and heads towards the counter where he takes around £4,000 worth of cigarettes and e-cigs from behind the counter. 

Owner Lakshman Thirunavukkarsu and his wife said they have been left “scared” after the attack, which happened at around 1.20am. 

The men kick the door down (Image: NQ)

Read more: Shop owner confronts burglars trying to raid Winton store

Mr Thirunavukkarsu said: “I got a call from the alarm company at 1.33am whilst I was in bed saying my shop had been broken into. 

“I rushed down after looking at the CCTV from my phone. The police were already there before me.” 

No arrests have been made following the incident, by Mr Thirunavukkarsu said the police have the registration plate of the Volkswagen Golf linked to the theft. 

“The smoke alarm had gone off after the thieves ran away. We pay £70 a month for the alarm but it went off when they left,” the shopkeeper added. 

“This is the first time this has happened to us in the two years we have been here. It was quite a shock. 

“It’s quite a nice area around here as well, and everybody says that.” 

Mr Thirunavukkarsu said the insurance will cover the costs of the damage and losses, which includes £1,550 plus VAT for the broken door. 

Dorset Police said they received a report of a commercial robbery in the early hours of Saturday, October 8. 

A spokesman added: “Dorset Police received a report at 1.29am of a break-in at SAM Convenience Store in Wimborne Road East in Ferndown. 

“It was reported that entry had been forced and a quantity of cigarettes were stolen. 

“Officers attended the scene and carried out searches of the area, but the offenders were not located. 

“Officers are continuing to carry out enquiries into this incident. No arrests have been made at this time.”