Stolen car used in society raid

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Detectives investigating an armed robbery at a building society say the car used in the raid was stolen 10 miles away hours earlier.

It is believed tens of thousands of pounds were stolen by the gang who threatened two security van guards at the Nationwide in Caerphilly.

A red Honda Civic that police believe the robbers drove off in after the raid on Thursday was later found abandoned.

Police say it had been stolen overnight in a burglary in north Cardiff.

South Wales Police said the car, found in Heol Trecastell, Caerphilly, is undergoing forensic examination.

A red Mercedes Kompressor, registration number CF02 TNX, was stolen at the same time as the Honda Civic in a burglary in Whitchurch, Cardiff.

Plastic containers

It is believed three men armed with some kind of weapon took part in the robbery on the Nationwide at 0520 BST on Thursday.

The Group 4 Security van was reloading the cash machine when they struck, and one guard was knocked over, although no-one was badly hurt.

The robbers then stole "a large amount" of money from the cash dispenser and are believed to have escaped with it in grey plastic containers in the Honda Civic.

The car was seen by a witness heading off the wrong way down St Fagans Road and in the direction of Crescent Road.

Detectives described the incident as "extremely serious" and said it was fortunate the security guards were not badly hurt.The red Honda Civic was examined after it was found abandoned

Det Supt Adrian Erasmus said: "It was their (the security guards') intention to enter the premises and reload the cash machine.

"Whilst they were parked up outside the premises the attackers approached them, got inside the premises and that's where the incident took place.

He said: "We are keen to hear from any members of the public in the Caerphilly area who may have seen a red Honda car being driven around during the early hours of the morning, quite erratically we believe."

The blue Group 4 Mercedes was examined by police forensic teams and roads in the area were closed for some time.

Newsagent Cledwyn Morgan told how he was alerted to the raid by a customer and he saw the robbers driving off in the red car.

He said the security guard was shaken up, "but he spoke to me and told me that he had been hit on and that they'd gone off with his money".

Security firm G4S Cash Services (UK) later issued a statement saying it was "committed to maintaining the safety of our staff and the general public".

Gwent Police are appealing for anyone for information about both the armed robbery and the stolen red Mercedes car to contact them on 01633 838111 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.