Southampton corner shop ripped open

Two people have been arrested after a Thornhill convenience store was struck by thieves on the morning of Wednesday (28).

According to local reports, the Laly’s convenience store on Thornhill Park Road in Southampton has had the exterior shutters ripped from the store doors, as well as having glass shattered at the front of the shop.

The incident happened at around 5am. The police attended the incident and have arrested a 42-year-old man and 34-year-old woman from Southampton on suspicion of burglary.

Ram Reddy, owner of the convenience store, told a local publication, “I had a call from the security company at around 5am this morning. I called the police straight away. We are not exactly sure what has been taken but we believe a number of disposable vapes, alcohol and cigarettes were stolen.

“I do not want to disturb the police investigation, so we have not assessed all that has been taken and damaged at the moment. There is a significant impact on us because we will have to pay for the damage, the stolen stock and the loss of earnings while we are closed.

“This will be expensive for us we will need new shutters, new glass and doors. It will take us some time to re-open so I apologies to customers for the inconvenience.”

Police are still carrying out enquiries to establish exactly what happened during the incident.

A spokesperson for Hampshire police said: “We were called shortly before 5am today, Wednesday, February 28, to reports of a break-in taking place at the Laly’s convenience store on Thornhill Park Road.

“Officers attended and found that a significant amount of damage had been caused to the front of the store and that a number of items of stock had been taken from inside.

“Enquiries at the scene have led to the arrest of a 42-year-old man and 34-year-old woman from Southampton on suspicion of burglary. Both remain in custody at the current time and an investigation is underway.”

The police said they were unable to determine exactly what was taken at the present time.