Crimes where thieves use stolen vehicles to gain entry into businesses is all-too common these days. Today, there were two thefts, one in Kansas and one in Texas, which stood out from all of the others. Both used stolen vehicles to crash into gas station convenience stores, both involved a number of young men getting out of the ramming vehicle to steal the ATM machine, and both times they failed. The ATM machines did not come loose, the planning was very poor, and the alarms went off scaring the young men away.
Look closely at this photo -- this is from the video report about the robbery in Houston -- can you see what is missing? The owners installed security bollards to protect their storefront. Seven bollards are visible in the photo -- BUT NONE PROTECT THE FRONT DOORS OF THE STORE! What were they thinking?
Look closely at this photo -- this is from the video report about the robbery in Houston -- can you see what is missing? The owners installed security bollards to protect their storefront. Seven bollards are visible in the photo -- BUT NONE PROTECT THE FRONT DOORS OF THE STORE! What were they thinking?
For more on this story and to see the video where the still is taken from, see the excellent coverage from Houston Channel 2 HERE. The reported said that the owner's estimate for the damages was $40,000 to $50,000. Putting bollards in front of those doors (properly spaced to be in full compliance with ADA requirements) would have cost an additional $600 when those other bollards were installed......This entrance looks more like goal posts than a safe and secure entrance to a place of business.
Also today, another gas station convenience store was struck, this time in Edwardsville Kansas.....Same basic story: stolen vehicle, crashes into the store, attempt theft of the ATM, thieves fail and run away when the alarms are activated, and leave behind a destroyed storefront and $50,000 in damage. See FOX4's coverage HERE. And predictably, no bollards to protect the storefront.
$100,000 in damage that could have been prevented for a few thousand dollars if someone had just planned ahead. It is not like this is a surprise -- there may be as many as 50 of these kinds of crash and grab thefts every day in the United States. And it is being documented in all sorts of retail categories -- security Director News wrote about a rash of thefts where thieves are crashing into salons and beauty supply stores to steal human hair extensions. See Amy Canfield's piece "Ram-raiders have hairy target -- Smash-and-grab thieves hitting beauty shops".
Protect your stores, protect your investment, protect your employees. If you do not know how to do this, contact me and I will put you in touch with an expert in your industry or in your area. Leave your store unprotected and you are what is called "a soft target" -- your insurance agent or the police can tell you what that means if you don't know. Because there is nothing to prevent them from coming back again NEXT time if you do not take action THIS time.
Also today, another gas station convenience store was struck, this time in Edwardsville Kansas.....Same basic story: stolen vehicle, crashes into the store, attempt theft of the ATM, thieves fail and run away when the alarms are activated, and leave behind a destroyed storefront and $50,000 in damage. See FOX4's coverage HERE. And predictably, no bollards to protect the storefront.
$100,000 in damage that could have been prevented for a few thousand dollars if someone had just planned ahead. It is not like this is a surprise -- there may be as many as 50 of these kinds of crash and grab thefts every day in the United States. And it is being documented in all sorts of retail categories -- security Director News wrote about a rash of thefts where thieves are crashing into salons and beauty supply stores to steal human hair extensions. See Amy Canfield's piece "Ram-raiders have hairy target -- Smash-and-grab thieves hitting beauty shops".
Protect your stores, protect your investment, protect your employees. If you do not know how to do this, contact me and I will put you in touch with an expert in your industry or in your area. Leave your store unprotected and you are what is called "a soft target" -- your insurance agent or the police can tell you what that means if you don't know. Because there is nothing to prevent them from coming back again NEXT time if you do not take action THIS time.
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