A FAMILY has been left ‘traumatised’ after being woken by masked burglars attempting to ram-raid the post office below their home.
The family, who own the business, described the dramatic moment as ‘like an earthquake’ when it happened about 3:25am on Tuesday.
CCTV shows a car and a 4x4 smashing into the front of the Emmbrook Post Office on Reading Road, Wokingham.
Owner Gowshiga Loasu said the entire family was woken by the loud smashing of the ram-raid as the whole house ‘shaked’.
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She said: “I woke up to the sound of a really loud smashing noise, me and my family all woke up to the same time and immediately reacted.
"The crashing sound was so loud, the whole house was shaking. It felt like an earthquake.
"We saw a car and a truck on the road and saw the truck had a big towbar on the back. We saw it ramming into our shop and we all started yelling.
"We saw men in masks coming towards the shop, but once they heard us yelling at them to go away they got back in their cars and drove off. We called the police right away and they arrived five minutes later. They were very quick."
Footage from the shop’s CCTV also shows another car pulling up alongside the 4x4 used to smash into the post office, and two people getting out the car and walking towards the business.
Gowshiga added: "We've only owned this shop since August 2018, but it's been here for 30 Years. We were shocked as this is the first time something like this has happened.
"We were also shocked that this happened because we were told by everyone we know that Wokingham was a good area, a nice place to live.
"We think that they were trying to get to the ATM, or to steal cigarettes.
"We have a mother and young boy living here, and when everyone woke up the boy did too. He was ready to go down the road with the adults to make them go away but his mother quickly stopped him."
Thames Valley Police cordoned off the Post Office in tape while it investigates the burglary. The force said it is not believed anything was taken and no arrests have been made.
The front of the shop has been completely destroyed with shattered glass and broken metal everywhere.
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A Post Office spokesperson said: "Post Office can confirm there was an attempted theft of the ATM machine at Emmbrook Post Office just after 3am today (19/11). The people who run our Post Office branches provide important services to local communities.
"This type of crime is very traumatic for the retailer and we will be supporting the Police in their efforts to apprehend those responsible."
The spokesman added: "Post Office would urge anyone with information to contact the police or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.
“The branch is temporarily closed, however, the Postmaster is planning to re-open the branch as soon as possible.
"In the interim alternative branches include Wokingham, Barkham and Wheelers Green.”
Anyone with information is to call police on 101 ref 43190360938
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