CCTV shows dramatic break in to computer store
Hooded thieves who broke into a computer shop stealing £16,500 worth of stock have been captured on CCTV.
Footage from the CEX Computer Exchange shop in Bilston's Market Centre captures three men climbing through a hole made in the front shutter with an angle grinder.
Once inside the store they stock up on dozens of mobile phones, laptops and games consoles.
The raid was the second time in a month that the shop has been targeted.
Carl Brown, who owns the store, said: "The images are quite dramatic to watch. We are a fairly new tenant at the Market Centre but this is becoming a regular occurrence.
"They didn't manage to get away with anything the first time but we aren't going to focus on the losses now.
"This won't happen again and we have made sure that our day to day business isn't affected."
Market Centre bosses have put a security guard on patrol since the raid and Mr Brown says the store has taken their own measures to prevent another raid of this kind.
He said: "We have now installed a smoke cloak machine similar to what they have in jewellers stores.
"This will fill the store with smoke if triggered so we are sure that they won't come back and if they do they will be caught."
West Midlands Police are investigating the raids and a spokesman said: "The CCTV footage shows the men with their faces covered and we are looking into analysing footage from the surrounding area."
The latest theft from the store took place at 11pm on August 21, earlier in the month, thieves drove a Citroen DS car into the shops shutters causing £10,000 worth of damage, causing the store to close for three days.
They forced their way into the shop but left empty handed after being disturbed.
Call the police on 101 to help.
