POLICE are hunting burglars who broke into a former village post office in the early hours.
Four men allegedly gained entry to the disused post office on Village Road, Northop Hall, shortly before 4am yesterday.
The raiders are believed to have fled using a stolen car which was later recovered.
North Wales Police were alerted to the break-in and launched a manhunt using the police helicopter and sniffer dogs.
One man was arrested and is currently in custody but three other suspects got away.
Dog handler PC Martin Lear confirmed the crime using the @NWPdayinthelife Twitter account.
He wrote: “Deeside area after burg. Four males chased by officers, one caught. Duco (the police dog) and I searched and recovered a stolen car from Cheshire.
“Air ops also attended. Thorough search by all but three still outstanding.”
The post office in Northop Hall closed in April 2010.
Residents had to travel to Connah’s Quay, Mold or Ewloe before a new post office opened in the Methodist church on Village Road last August. Northop Hall councillor
Tony Sharps said he was surprised burglars had targeted the property as it was empty.
He said: “The post office has not been used for some time and I am almost certain there is no money in the building.
“I believe there might be some bits of computer equipment but it is quite strange.”
A North Wales Police spokesman said: “We can confirm we received a report of four men trying to break into the old post office in Northop Hall at 3.53am on Monday.
“One person has been arrested following a burglary and he is currently in custody.”