Thief crashes into store with vehicle
A destructive thief crashed a minivan through the wall of a Windsor computer store early Tuesday — so he could steal two laptops. Brian Gallant, who works at PC Outfitters, posted dramatic surveillance video of the destructive smash and grab online.
He was shocked when he arrived at the Marentette Avenue store Tuesday morning to take in the damage.
“Definitely looks like a car came through it,” said Gallant. “There’s quite a bit of damage. All the windows were pushed through, smashed up, and a bunch of stuff inside was smashed.” “Obviously, everybody’s a little bit angry about it. We’ve been in business over 20 years now. We’re here to help people, and today we’re not helping people.” The alarm system inside the business, at 3181 Marentette Ave., went off around 5 a.m. Tuesday. Gallant said Windsor police were there all morning. He said one of the officers revealed the same person is likely also responsible for a theft late Monday or early Tuesday in LaSalle.
“She did say the same guy and the same vehicle hit somewhere in LaSalle last night as well,” Gallant said Tuesday afternoon. “We got partial plates. The other place got partial plates as well, but it’s the same partial. Realistically, that van’s probably stolen anyway.” It has not been confirmed if the van actually was stolen.
A Windsor police representative didn’t respond to a request for information Tuesday afternoon. A LaSalle police spokesperson also couldn’t be reached for comment. Along with surveillance photos and video of the culprit in action, Gallant posted a note on Facebook stating the store would be closed Tuesday.
“If anyone has any info regarding this person, please message us,” he wrote.
The video shows what appears to be a Chrysler minivan lined up in front of the building before suddenly lurching backward through the front door and windows, which were all covered with bars. When the van smashes through the front of the building, it also knocks over a merchandise display shelf.
The driver then pulls ahead and parks the van with its back end still visible on the camera.
A man wearing a grey T-shirt, a dark-coloured ball cap and shorts, and something white tied around his face, runs up to the building. He bends down, squeezes through the damaged door and disappears off camera inside the store.
The man reappears a few seconds later clutching a couple of laptop boxes, and chucks them through the door. He then climbs back outside, grabs the boxes and runs out of sight before the van starts up and speeds away.
For all his trouble, said Gallant, the thief didn’t get away with much of a payday.
“A couple laptops,” he said. “He was in and out in 22 seconds. They weren’t even expensive laptops, really. It’s one of those things where our damage is way higher than what he left with. We’re just happy it was product and not customers’ stuff. That’s all locked up in the back and he didn’t go that far.”
Gallant said the thief took a couple 15-inch Acer laptops, but the store had yet to go through invoices Tuesday to determine the exact model numbers.
He said the cost of damage was also undetermined.
“It’s just a matter of getting this all boarded up and safe for people to be here first,” said Gallant. “Then kind of go through the paces and see what happens from there. The restoration company is here. They’re boarding everything up now. Hopefully we can at least lock everything up tonight. We should be able to reopen (Wednesday).” He said the store would likely open again at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday. “There might still be a little bit of a mess, but it will be safe.”
Ourdamageis way higher than what he left with. We’re just happy it was product and not customers’ stuff.