Minibus set on fire and dumped in canal after Wolverhampton ram raid
These pictures show the extraordinary aftermath of a ram raid in which a stolen minibus was used to burgle a vaping shop before being dumped in the canal and set alight.
The ram raiders took the 16-seat minibus from a nearby unit in Vulcan Road, Bilston, before targetting The Vape Warehouse just metres away.
After smashing their way in and taking various goods, they drove the minibus into Wednesbury Oak Loop canal at the rear of Crane Road canal where it is believed they set it alight. A Bilston fire crew was called shortly after 3am yesterday and safely extinguished the blaze. West Midlands Police are now investigating.
Spencer Dallaway, Managing Director at The Vape Warehouse, said: "In just six or seven minutes on this site, they have stolen a bus, come round here and rammed us, done the whole shop front and put us out of action – and then broken through the main gate to get away. This could potentially cost us tens of thousands of pounds in trade. It is absolutely dire."
DC Mike Sanders, from Wolverhampton Police, said: "We believe four men were involved in the ram raid.
"They dumped the vehicle after driving it through metal gates, setting it on fire and then dumping it in a canal.
"We are still investigating how they escaped from Bradley Lane and we are appealing to anyone who saw the men make off or who saw anything suspicious to contact us. The warehouse frontage was severely damaged and the owners business will be badly affected."
Anyone with information is urged to call West Midlands Police on 101. Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or at crimestoppers-uk.org
