Bloxwich shop owner speaks of shock after raiders strike through roof
A shop owner has spoke of his devastation after masked robbers raided his shop.
The business owner, who wished to remain anonymous, said three masked raiders broke into his shop through the roof.
They stole £8,000 worth of cigarettes and £1,000 cash from Oscar News in Bloxwich High Street. The break-in took place on 10.40pm on Saturday, claimed the shop owner.
He said: "Three people broke into my shop through the roof. They had their faces covered. They spent one hour and 20 minutes trying to break in. I don't know why no one didn't see them.
"They stole £8,000 worth of cigarettes and £1,000 worth of cash.
"This came as a really big shock to us. We haven't got the money to resupply our stocks. We are struggling."
The shop owner said a temporary fix has been made to the roof but further repairs are needed.
A hole left in the roof also let rain water into the shop and damaged a lottery machine. As a result, he has been charged £300 by the company that operates the machine.
The shop owner took over the business eight months ago and has only recently moved into the area.
A spokesman for West Midlands Police said: "Police were alerted at 6.50am on Sunday morning to a break-in at a shop in Bloxwich High Street overnight.
"It is believed offenders gained entry by cutting a hole in the shop ceiling before using tools to break into a cigarette cabinet and steal a significant quantity of tobacco, plus cash.
" Anyone who witnessed anything suspicious or has information that could help the investigation is asked to contact WMP on 101 or via Live Chat at WMP Online quoting crime number 20WS/236199Q/19."
