THREE yobs used a stolen BMW to ram their way into a supermarket.

The trio are believed to have stolen the orange BMW X1, worth thousands of pounds, from a garage in Grimston Road, before driving it to Wickford.

Police suspect that the same car was then used to reverse into fire doors at the Co-op store, off Wickford High Street, because of the debris that was left behind at the scene.

Three men, one who was wearing a balaclava, then stormed into the shop. They sped off in the car after helping themselves to cigarettes and alcohol.

Det Supt Kevin Baldwin, from the south local policing area, said: “The doors have been rammed by a vehicle and there was debris of a car’s tail light left there.

“The light cluster pieces have been linked to the stolen BMW.

“CCTV at the store showed that three men entered the store after the vehicle reversed into the door.

“One was wearing a balaclava and two did not have anything covering their faces.

“They took cigarettes and alcohol.”

The ram raid happened between 1.30am and 2am on Monday, May 15. Police have only just released details.

It wasn’t until 5.50am that morning that the owner of the BMW discovered it was missing.

Police found that the owner’s keys had been snatched after she had left them hanging in her door days earlier.

The car has not yet been recovered.

Mr Baldwin added: “Please make sure that you keep all keys out of sight and definitely do not leave them in doors, as anyone can take them.”

A spokesman for Co-op said: “We can confirm that there was an incident at our Wickford store in the early hours of Monday, May 15.

“Fortunately no one was present at the time and the store is open as usual.

“We would ask for anyone with information to come forward to the police.”

So far, no arrests have been made and police are carrying out enquiries to determine who is responsible for the ram raid.

Anyone with information can call Essex Police on 101, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.