Crooks use pickup truck to break into Family Dollar store
SEABROOK, TX (KTRK) -- Crooks stole a safe from a Family Dollar store in Seabrook in just under 30 seconds. The crime happened around 4am Monday at 2008 State Hwy 146.
Exclusive video obtained by Eyewitness News showed the masked men slamming a pickup truck into the front of the business. They then loaded up the safe into the truck bed and took off into the night.
Seabrook detectives told abc13 the truck was stolen. The burglars abandoned the vehicle on a nearby street. Witnessed told police the men loaded up the safe into a white cargo van and sped off.
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Dale Phillips owns the Ford F-250 used in the crime. Police woke him up early in the morning and told him the truck had been stolen from his driveway overnight.
"I always thought it was Houston. I thought we were safe. Who knows about Harbour Cove? No one knows about this little community," said Phillips. "I just installed this nice stereo system. They thought they needed it more than I did."
Phillips wanted to warn neighbors about the incident.
At the Family Dollar store, crews worked to board up the front of the business. Mitchell Kohler works for Fox Glass of Texas. He said they work at least three types of these smash and grabs a month.
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"A little bit surprised. In fact, I dock my boat right around the corner," said Kohler. "Yes, very surprised. Usually it's in the heart of Houston."
Detectives said they suspect the burglars are tied to similar break-ins in Galveston County. They need your help to identify the criminals. If you have information, you're asked to contact Sergeant Haskett of the Seabrook Police Department at 281-291-5707 or at whaskett@seabrooktx.gov.
Family Dollar released the following statement to abc13:
"Please know that the safety and security of our customers and associates is our first priority. Family Dollar has proudly operated stores in the Houston-area for many years. When violence in the communities and neighborhoods we serve occurs, it affects everyone- including our stores. Though we hope to never have to use them, we do have policies and rigorous trainings in place to best respond to store safety and security incidents and are committed to continually improving them to address potential threats to our stores.
We strive to create a safe work and shopping environment by tailoring our store operations and security for each store. We are continually enhancing the on-premise security and surveillance systems in all our stores, as well as our employee training. To ensure the integrity of our security systems and procedures, we do not release specific details about these measures."
