Burglars sought after using pickup truck to break into Alexandria 7-Eleven
FAIRFAX COUNTY, Va. - The burglars accused of using a pickup truck to break into an Alexandria 7-Eleven last month are still on the loose.
The suspects were caught on surveillance footage inside the store, and police hope that by releasing it, the community will help them solve the crime.
The incident happened on Friday, May 26 at the 7-Eleven located at 5638 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway. That morning, around 3:06 a.m., officers responded to the scene and found the convenience store severely damaged.
Lt. James Curry with the Fairfax County Police Department said these incidents are rare and explained why thieves attempt to get away with an ATM in the first place.
"Certainly, it’s easy access to money. I mean, you know there’s money in there and I guess the question is whether or not you’re going to be successful in stealing the ATM. In this case, they weren’t," Lt. Curry said.
According to detectives, two men forcibly opened the store’s locked door. One of them removed an employee from behind the counter and pushed him out of the store.
While the clerk ran away to call for help, the other two suspects backed a black pickup truck through the front window of the store, knocking over the ATM inside.
"Someone who would do a crime as brazen as this – certainly this is probably not their first time – and I would imagine they’re at least planning to do something again," Lt. Curry said.
The suspects tried to pry the ATM open, detectives said, but they were unsuccessful and left the store in the truck.
FOX 5 asked Lt. Curry why crimes continue to happen at local 7-Elevens.
"It’s the most common convenience store for you to see in the DMV and that’s why you end up seeing that being a target for many criminals," he explained.
Police are asking anyone with information regarding this incident to contact them.