JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A vehicle crashed into a RadioShack and stole several prepaid cellphones Friday morning, according to the store's manager and Jacksonville police.
Police said someone rammed the store in the 3200 block of Armsdale Road on the Northside at about 5 a.m. and caused major damage.
An employee said security cameras were not able to catch the vehicle on video, but he believes it was some sort of truck.
The store was not open at the time and no one was injured.
Police said a man working at a nearby parking lot found broken glass and debris at a dumpster, and the cellphone packages were found inside.
Police said the value of the stolen cellphones was about $2,500, and the damage done to the store was about $6,000 worth.
News4Jax crime analyst Gil Smith said police will look at surveillance video from nearby stores to try to solve the case. They'll also try to track the stolen phones in hopes of finding the burglar or burglars. He said the phones could be sold on the black market or used to commit other crimes.
Mark Gillette works at Lorine's Hair and Care in the same shopping center.
"Actually, it was a little bit alarming to know that something like that can happen," Gillette said. "Makes you just be more alert about your surroundings."
Police are asking businesses and customers to keep a close eye on the area.
"What we will do as a team is just basically look out for each other," Gillette said. "You know, if we have to have each other's back and maybe wait around when the last one is just finishing up in the evening, just looking out for each other."
Repair crews are trying to get the store fixed and back open again as soon as possible.
Anyone with any information about the smash-and-grab is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 866-845-TIPS.