POLICE are hunting three people who stole a car and used it to break into a bottle shop in Armidale before torching it.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The silver Mazda four-wheel-drive was stolen from a Jesse St house between 8pm and midnight on Wednesday.
Police said it was then used as offenders targeted a drive-thru bottle shop off Marsh St before one of the offenders jumped out of the car about 2.50am.
“The stolen car was driven to the glass door before one offender smashed the door with a hammer to get in,” New England Inspector Chris McKinnon said.
The stolen car was driven to the glass door before one offender smashed the door with a hammer to get in.
- New England Inspector Chris McKinnon
Three offenders were captured on CCTV stealing alcohol and food from the store before they fled.
Police were alerted by staff from the bottle shop and started patrolling the area.
“Police attended the location and patrolled the area for the stolen vehicle which was located a short time later well alight on Long Swamp Rd,” Inspector McKinnon said.
Police are urging anyone with information on the break-and-enter or who might have seen the car being driven around Armidale to contact investigators at Armidale Police Station on 6771 0699.