Police hunt for masked men with sledge hammer who caused thousands of pounds of damage at two Chesterfield businesses

Armed with a sledge hammer and a metal crow bar, they first struck at JC Commercial Spares, Eckington Road, Staveley, on Tuesday, July 20 just after 9pm.

A spokesperson for Staveley Safer Neighbourhood Team said: “Nothing appears stolen at this time but it has caused hundreds of pounds worth of damage to the company’s vehicle and 3 main doors inside the property.

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“The male offenders were driving a Black Vauxhall Vectra estate, vrm KG55DCE, which travelled from the Staveley area and then made off towards Eckington. The vehicle currently has no current keeper or insurance.

“They were wearing baseball caps, face coverings and gloves. The driver was wearing a blue Nike ‘Just do it’ tshirt and blue shorts.

"The passenger was wearing a blue adidas tshirt and light coloured shorts possibly white or light grey. The driver was carrying a sledge hammer and passenger carrying a metal crow bar.”

Officers say ‘the same vehicle and offenders were then busy again’ on Wednesday, July 21 at Storforth Lane Trading Estate, Storforth Lane, Hasland, at about 10pm when the males were wearing face coverings again and got onto the estate as a vehicle was leaving.

"Upon leaving the offender have driven at the gates in order to exit the Trading estate causing approximately £40,000 worth of damage to the electric automatic gates,” the police spokesperson added.

If anyone has information, contact PC 14130 Williams on 101.