THIEVES wearing black balaclavas tried to run over a Redditch hotel employee after breaking into Campanile Hotel and making off with a cigarette vending machine.
They threw a boulder taken from the hotel grounds in Far Moor Lane through a conference room window to gain entry at about 1am on Monday.
Afterwards, the thieves then loaded the vending machine onto the back of a stolen red Fiat Punto car before speeding off in the direction of the island by McDonald's.
Police said damage to the window amounted to £200 but the cost of the machine and its contents were not known.
A spokesman for Campanile declined to comment except to say he hoped the thieves were caught as soon as possible.
Anyone with information is asked to call Redditch police on 08457 444888 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
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