ROBBERS used stolen cars in a break-in at Taylor and Roberts electrical goods shop in West Street, Haslemere, last week. Two young thieves used fire axes to smash the reinforced window and security grille of the side window before taking four large flat panel TVs, several laptop computers, cameras and camcorders which were on display in the windows and showcases. The exact value of the stolen items is not known as yet. Eyewitnesses on the street and in the Ask bar, almost opposite the scene, took photographs with mobile phones during the raid, which happened at about 11.15pm on Monday, April 21. Police are asking witnesses to come forward. The premises were alarmed and police were called automatically, although Haslemere Police Station, just a few yards away was unmanned at the time. Police are linking the theft to a visit to the store at about 4.50pm the same day, by two men described as being between 17-19 years of age and wearing "hoodie -type" tops. One wore a hooded sweatshirt with lettering on the back which read "Authorised Issue Number" or similar wording, and kept his hood up throughout. The teenagers then walked off in the direction of the car park at the back of Somerfield. Richard Salter, employee at the store which was established in 1952, said both were skinny and scruffy looking and one of them had a "skimpy moustache". He said: "We all (the employees) saw them come in at about 4.50pm. They were clearly not from around here and we did not recognise them. We were suspicious straight away as to what they were up to. They looked scruffy, and paid special attention to the big plasma screen on demonstration." Owner Robert Cutting added: "They had an air about them that they were up to no good." The thieves made their getaway in the evening after throwing the haul into a silver Subaru Forrester 4x4 and a black VW Golf mark four, it is thought either a GTI or TDI R32, with distinctive silver coloured, multi-spoked alloy wheels. Both vehicles left West Street towards Bridge Road. In the early hours of the following day a silver Subaru was discovered on fire in Wiltshire. It had been stolen from a property in Marley Combe Road, Haslemere, overnight on April 11. Surrey Police also said the black Golf was seen later at a ram-raid at a One Stop shop and post office in Salisbury, at around 4.24am. A cash machine and food was stolen. DC Kevin Ford from Surrey Police, investigating the Haslemere burglary, said: "Several offences have taken place covering many counties and we are determined to find the individuals responsible and bring them to justice. We are appealing to anyone with information to contact Surrey Police. "In particular we are hoping that someone might remember seeing the distinctive sweatshirt worn by one of the men, or may have seen the customised black VW Golf in the area." Anyone with information can call Surrey Police on 0845 125 2222 quoting crime reference WV/08/ 454. Alternatively contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, and free of charge on 0800 555 111.
