Vehicles rammed into 8 Surrey businesses in string of likely related incidents: RCMP

Eight South Surrey, B.C., businesses have been on the receiving end of significant damage after thieves used vehicles as battering rams to try and break in.

The luxury resale store Turnabout on 24th Avenue has large plywood sheets over a pair of smashed windows after a car tore through the storefront on Aug. 11 around 4:30 a.m.

Surveillance video shows two suspects making off with items and escaping in a dark-coloured hatchback.

“I’m sure they were well-versed (and) they knew what they were doing,” Turnabout’s Nicolle Canido told Global News.

“It hasn’t stopped us. We haven’t shut down and we don’t plan on shutting down. We’ll get our windows replaced … It’s a cost.”

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One day after Turnabout was smashed into, a pickup truck rammed into another Surrey store — South Rock Resale — around 3:30 a.m.

Fortunately for the business, it had installed a metal gate inside the glass storefront, which the truck couldn’t breach.

“It makes you really sad because you work so hard for your small little business,” said Julie Burns with South Rock Resale.

According to Surrey RCMP, Turnabout and South Rock Resale aren’t alone.

Six other South Surrey businesses were also rammed with vehicles this month in attempted, or successful, break-and-enters.

“Investigators believe that the incidents are likely related due to the similar nature of the offences and geographical locations, however, further evidence is required to conclusively link the occurrences,” reads a Thursday news release from the detachment.

All eight break-ins were on 24th Avenue, Croydon Drive or Beecher Street between 11:20 p.m. and 5 a.m. They took place on Aug. 1, 6, 9, 11, 12, 13, 20, and 31.

A white GMC pickup truck stolen from Langley was used in the latter attempt and later seized as evidence, RCMP said.

“We recognize the impact incidents such as these have on businesses within our community,” said Sgt. Jordan Davies of the property crime target team in the release.

“Our team is actively working to identify the suspects so they can be held accountable.”

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Both Turnabout and South Rock Resale said they have insurance but will still be paying thousands out of pocket for their deductibles.

“The glass coverage … it’s going to go up, we were told, because it was the second time it was broken,” Burns said.

“We are looking at $5,000 or $10,000 for a deductible and when you are a small business, it’s a lot of money.”

RCMP is asking with information about the incidents, or surveillance footage from the surrounding area, to contact the detachment at 604-599-0502.