From the
Express & Echo:
Police have released these images in a bid to catch two men suspected of stealing a Network Rail van in an attempted smash and grab at Exeter University.
Detectives believe the vehicle was used to ram a ticket machine in the university’s grounds before being abandoned on the campus.
The Ford Transit, which has Network Rail markings, was taken from Honiton Railway Station. It was discovered on top of the ticket machine in Rennes Drive, on the university’s Streatham campus, at 10pm.
The suspects are believed to have fled from the university grounds empty-handed.
Officers from Honiton CID have joined forces with British Transport Police to investigate the incident. And detectives are urging anyone who could identify the suspects to contact police. Officers want to speak to them in connection with the incident which happened early on Saturday morning.
Two men were captured on cameras at Honiton railway station, where they are alleged to have damaged the property.
Officers believe the Network Rail vehicle’s registration plates were then swapped with those stolen from an Exeter University mini-bus parked on the campus.
High-visibility jackets and a vehicle log book, thought to have been taken from the Network Rail van, were found in bushes in Exwick Lane, Exeter.
Detective Sergeant Ian Tyres, of Honiton CID, said: “A Network Rail van was stolen from Honiton railway station at around 5.45am on Saturday. At around 10pm it was discovered sitting on top of a ticket machine at Exeter University. We believe the offenders were looking to uproot the ticket machine and take its contents. The Network Rail van was discovered with different number plates, which we believe were stolen from an Exeter University mini-bus at around 9.30pm.”
Police said the van may have been parked at a garage near the Three Horseshoes pub, on the A377 road to Crediton, at around 8pm.
A spokeswoman for Exeter University said: “The ticket machine is alarmed so the university’s security was alerted when the vehicle crashed into it. The vehicle was balancing on the ticket machine when staff arrived.”
The men are believed to be aged between 18 and 23.
Anyone who knows the men, or who has any information about the incident is asked to call police on 08452 777444 quoting crime reference K8/10/49.
