Police question ram raid witnesses

LAUNCESTON detectives are continuing to investigate Monday morning's ram raids at Newnham and Invermay.

Police are looking for four males who used a stolen Mitsubishi Triton to slam into two BP service stations just minutes apart.

The first ram raid at a 24-hour Invermay BP about 4.15am was unsuccessful.

About five minutes later, the men reversed the ute through a 24-hour BP at Newnham.

Detective Inspector Scott Flude said the men disconnected an ATM machine and placed it on the ute.

However, as the men drove away it fell off the back of the damaged ute.

The stores were occupied by attendants at the time but no customers.

Nobody was injured.

Inspector Flude said significant damage was caused to the Newnham store, whose staff were yesterday not commenting on the incident.

"The ute was found about 20 minutes after the last ram raid, burntout at Rocherlea," he said.

"There were four youths ... but they had balaclavas on.

"As they exited rather quickly from the apron of the service station, the ATM fell off the back of the ute and was recovered by the first attending police officers.

"There was an amount of cash in there but I'm not at liberty to say how much."

Police were able to obtain a small amount of CCTV footage and were interviewing witnesses.

Anyone who may have seen the Triton ute or the occupants in the Invermay, Newnham or Rocherlea areas on Monday morning are asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800333000.

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