Attempted Crash-and-Grab at South Shore Gas Station Causes Heavy Damage

CHICAGO, Illinois — Detectives are investigating an attempted crash-and-grab burglary at a gas station in Chicago's South Shore neighborhood, where suspects used a vehicle to ram their way into the building before fleeing empty-handed.

SUV Used as a Battering Ram

According to the Chicago Police Department, the incident occurred at approximately 4:48 a.m. on Wednesday, May 27, 2026. A group of suspects operating a black SUV drove the vehicle directly into the front entrance of the gas station located in the 7600 block of South Jeffery Boulevard.

The impact shattered the glass facade and caused extensive structural damage to the storefront, collapsing metal frames and tearing down shelving inside. Despite the destruction, the suspects failed to dislodge their target—an automated teller machine (ATM) located inside the lobby—or access secure registers.

Suspects Flee in Getaway Vehicle

Realizing the theft attempt had failed, the suspects abandoned the damaged SUV inside the storefront. Surveillance video shows the group quickly exiting the building and boarding a second, waiting getaway vehicle, which sped away from the scene northbound on Jeffery Boulevard. Thankfully, no employees or customers were inside the store at the time of the crash, and no injuries were reported.

The store owner expressed immense frustration, noting that the location had been targeted multiple times during a spike in commercial crash-and-grab incidents affecting the South Side of Chicago during the spring of 2026.

Forensic Examination Underway

Chicago Police secured the site and used a heavy-duty tow truck to extract the wedged SUV from the building's support structure. The vehicle, which police suspect was stolen prior to the incident, is undergoing a detailed forensic examination by Area One detectives. No suspects are currently in custody, and the investigation remains open.