Burglars Smash Truck Into Berkeley Store to Steal ATM in Ram-Raid Heist

A group of brazen burglars smashed a truck into a Berkeley retail store in a dramatic smash-and-grab heist, successfully dragging away an automated teller machine (ATM) in the early hours of the morning.

According to the Berkeley Police Department, the suspects utilized a heavy-duty pickup truck to reverse through the storefront's glass facade, causing extensive structural damage. Once the entryway was breached, the thieves quickly secured chains around the store's ATM and used the vehicle's horsepower to rip it from its mounts, dragging it out onto the street and loading it onto their getaway vehicle.

The incident occurred in a commercial district, and the sound of the collision alerted nearby residents, who immediately called 911. However, the suspects managed to flee the scene before police units arrived. Store owners are now facing costly repairs to their storefront, in addition to the loss of the ATM and potential merchandise damaged during the crash.

Berkeley police are analyzing security camera footage from the store and neighboring businesses to identify the truck's license plate and the suspects involved. This "ram-raid" style of burglary has seen a rise in various parts of the Bay Area, prompting local law enforcement to advise businesses to install protective bollards in front of their entrances.