Police are seeking four men following an audacious raid on an East Wemyss convenience store.
Residents near the Spar on Main Road said several loud bangs were heard at around 1am as a 4×4 crashed into the shopfront.
It appears the raid was made in an attempt to steal a cash machine from inside the shop although this is thought to have been unsuccessful.
Police were quickly on the scene, with the raiders said to have been pursued by police cars.
One resident, who did not wish to be named, told The Courier: “It was a 4×4 but when the police came it sped off … I heard they tried to put a rope around the cash machine and drive off but weren’t successful.”
Another householder said: “I heard a bang and thought it sounded like a car hitting another car.
“It sounded like metal on metal. Then it happened two or three more times and I realised something was up.”
Police have appealed for anybody with information to come forward as they search for the culprits.
Detective sergeant Paul Dick, who is leading the investigation, said: “The premises appear to have been broken into in order to steal the cash machine which was within the shop.
“After violating the security of the store the vehicle was then used in an attempt to pull the ATM from the store.
“There were believed to be four males involved who were all wearing dark balaclavas.”
“This is an unusual type of crime in this area and I would ask anyone who was in the area of Main Street, East Wemyss at the time or who saw a red coloured Toyota pickup acting suspiciously in or around the area to contact Police Scotland using the 101 non-emergency number or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”