Masked raiders caught fleeing store empty-handed

These CCTV images show the moments three masked men looking to swipe cigarettes from a supermarket were forced to flee empty-handed – because the loot they were targeting was already locked away.

Detectives say the three – who were carrying collapsible bags to fill with stolen goods – walked into the Sainsbury's store in Wombourne and headed straight to the cigarette kiosk.

See more images by clicking on the image on the right.

But the gang disappeared when they realised that the shutters on the kiosk were already closed, meaning any potential loot was locked away.

Officers now want to speak to anyone who may have seen the men or a vehicle they were in at the time of the incident.

Police said the gang walked into the Heath Mill Road store just as staff were about to lock up just before 10pm on Thursday, February 2.

CCTV images show that they had been dropped off on the main Bridgnorth Road next to the store in a light-coloured medium-sized hatchback car of a similar size to a Ford Focus, VW Golf or Honda Civic.

They are then caught on camera walking into the supermarket with their faces covered and then straight towards the unmanned kiosk.

But when they realised that that it was shut and secured, the gang turned on their heels and ran out of the store and back onto the Bridgnorth Road.

Officers say the men were of medium build and all wearing black hooded tops, black tracksuit bottoms and black trainers.

Two were carrying dark-green cylinder-shaped, collapsible-type bags which would have been used to dump any stolen cigarettes into and carry to their getaway vehicle. Detectives are keen to trace any witnesses who may have noticed a car similar to the models described in and around the area at the time of the incident.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Det Con Paul Whitehouse at Cannock CID on 101 quoting incident number 586 of February 2 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.