Three arrested after supermarket raids, East Devon

Three break-ins occurred at Morrisons Daily stores in Exmouth and Ottery St Mary between August 21st and 27th. Offenders smashed the glass doors in the early hours, stealing large quantities of vapes, cigarettes, and tobacco.

Three people have been arrested following the theft of thousands of pounds worth of vapes and cigarettes from supermarkets in East Devon.

Three break-ins were reported at Morrisons Daily stores in Exmouth and Ottery St Mary in the space of a week between 21 and 27 August.

All of the raids happened in the early hours of the morning with offenders smashing the glass front door of the shops to get inside before targeting substantial amounts of the vapes, cigarettes and tobacco.

Officers have now arrested three people from Exmouth as part of their enquiries into the break-ins.

A man in his 30s and a 16-year-old boy were each arrested on suspicion of three counts of burglary and a woman in her 20s for one count of burglary. They have all been released on bail until 26 November pending further enquiries.

Officers are continuing to investigate and are urging residents to check their CCTV and doorbell cameras for any footage which may have captured suspects in the area.

The first burglary happened at the Morrisons Daily in Pines Road, Exmouth, between 4.20am and 5am on Wednesday 21 August with around £7,000 worth of tobacco, vapes and drinks taken.

Two suspects were seen running towards Jubilee Drive and vapes were left scattered in the street outside the store.

The same store was targeted again between 4.50am and 5.30am on Friday 23 August. The front door was forced and the window smashed before a haul of similar items and value was taken.

Two suspects made off in the direction of Jubilee Drive, one carrying a black bag and the other a white bag, and again discarded vapes were left around the area.

The Morrisons Daily in West Hill, Ottery St Mary, was burgled days later on Bank Holiday Monday between 12.50am and 1.30am. A rock was thrown through the glass front door and again a substantial amount of vapes and tobacco products were taken.

Two suspects were again seen in the area, one carrying a blue carrier bag and the other, a yellow carrier bag.

PC Samuel Morris said: “While we have carried out arrests we continue to investigate the burglaries which are all believed connected. We are asking residents in these areas to check their personal CCTV or doorbell cameras to see if they have any footage which may help with our enquiries.

“We are particularly keen to hear from those with CCTV, doorbell or dashcam footage in the Exmouth areas of Jubilee Drive, Marley Road, Lovering Close and Byron Way.”

Anyone who can assist police with their investigation is asked to report information online or telephone 101, quoting crime number 50240211106 for Exmouth or 50240216110 for Ottery St Mary.