Gas stations are paramount for the communities in which they exist. This is the case because people rely on gas station pumps, and these stores often have other essential items. Sadly, because of this, fuel stations are often hotbeds for various types of crime. Recently, thieves targeted multiple gas stations with intentional car wrecks. They did this in under half an hour. 

They didn’t target gas station pumps, but multiple stores are closed following the car wrecks

According to NBC Bay Area, a group of thieves went on a “crash and grab” spree on March 11th. As mentioned, this involved using intentional car wrecks to rob gas stations, which means they drove into the stores and attempted to steal as many items as they could. The report says that the people targeted three stores, all of which the Betts family owns. 

The string of car wrecks began around 3:30 am at a location on Lakeshore Avenue. Surveillance footage shows about five people in a vehicle as it crashes into a Chevron. They then tried to steal a safe, but the police arrived at the scene before they could. A short time later, they showed up at a location on Redwood Road and got in by smashing a window. 

The series of car wrecks didn’t stop there. Fifteen minutes passed, and they arrived at a gas station on Moraga Avenue. Again, they smashed a vehicle through the store and stole low-dollar items. The police interrupted two of the thefts but were unable to make any arrests. These instances caused more than $100k in damages, and two of the three stores are now closed for repairs. 

Chevron Operations Manager Marissa Betts issued a short statement after the intentional car wrecks and robberies. She said she’s “Sad, depressed, frustrated, and anxious” over the events of March 11th. She went on, “My concern is about our employees and making sure people have jobs so they can pay their bills. Prices are rising with groceries, insurance, and everything.”