A MOBILE PHONE shop was raided in the early hours of last Tuesday morning after a lone thief gained entry to the Virgin Media store on The Parade.

Just before 1am on May 6, the burglar gained access to the store before making off with 10 expensive handsets.

The whole incident lasted no more than 10 minutes, as the man entered the store, grabbed a number of handsets, and exited as quickly as he could.

While there were no signs of forced entry, police are appealing for any witnesses who may have been in the area at the time or seen anything suspicious.

CCTV footage of the suspect, picked up on the store’s security system, shows images of a man police would like to talk to in relation to the burglary.

He is described as a white male, in his late 20s to early 30s, wearing a black jacket with the hood pulled up and a peaked baseball cap.

Police are asking the public to be aware of anyone who may be looking to sell any of the handset models involved, which included Moto G and Nokia 625 designs.

The models routinely sell for between £100 and £150 each, with an estimated cost to the shop of between £1,000 and £1,500.

If anyone recognises the suspect or has any information relating to the incident, they are asked to contact 101 and ask to speak to the Crime Management Unit quoting crime reference number 54140041316.

A spokesman for Wiltshire Police said: “We are appealing for information after a burglary at the Virgin Media shop on The Parade, Swindon, “It took place on May 6 between 12.45am and 12.55am. An unknown suspect has gained access to the building and in the process stolen 10 mobile phone handsets.

“It appears that a number of Moto G handsets and Nokia 625 handsets have been taken.

“We would ask anybody who may have been offered one of these phones for sale, or who recognises the man in the CCTV images, to contact Wiltshire Police on non-emergency number 101, or alternatively Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, where information can be left anonymously.”