HOODLUMS stole a car and smashed it through a shop window in a late-night rampage.

The robbers drove through the front of Sainsbury’s in Portland Road, Hove.

They had stolen the car, a Vauxhall Nova, from nearby Wordsworth Street.

A resident in Rutland Gardens, just off Portland Road, heard the drama unfold.

The resident was awake applying for a job at the time of the incident.

She said: “There was a loud bang that shocked me at around 11.45pm on Monday night.

“I heard car tyres screeching and then a really loud bang, but didn’t look to see any of the damage.”

The woman said she did not see any of the robbers as they were inside the car.

She said it was not the first time the shop has been targeted by robbers – a similar attack happened last year.

This time the raiders, clad in hoodies, pinched various items during a crime spree before ditching the car in a neighbouring road.

After leaving the Vauxhall in Shelley Road, they then used a black car that was parked there as a getaway vehicle.

So far no one has been arrested and it is unclear how many people were involved in the robbery.

Sainsbury’s was unable to comment on Monday’s incident.

A spokesman for Sussex Police said: “Police are investigating after a stolen car was used to ram raid Sainsbury’s Local store in Portland Road, Hove, at 11.45pm on Monday.

“Officers were called at 11.35pm after a Vauxhall Nova was reported stolen from Wordsworth Street in Hove.

“Police then received calls ten minutes later reporting that the car had been driven into the front window of Sainsbury’s before being abandoned around the corner in Shelley Road.

“The suspects, wearing hooded tops, went into the store and stole a box of CDs, books and games.

“They then made off in a black vehicle also parked in Shelley Road northwards.”

Police are appealing for witnesses to contact them by emailing 101@sussex.pnn.police.uk or phoning 101 quoting serial 1857 of 17/07.

Alternatively, they can give a statement anonymously by phoning Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.