Suspects drove a truck into the Pic-n-Pac Liquor store at 1296 San Pablo Ave., at Gilman Street, early Thursday morning and stole the lion’s share of the store’s inventory, according to authorities.
UPDATE: Scroll down to see dramatic videos from the burglary.
“It appears that the suspects backed a truck into the front of the business before 4:11 a.m.,” Berkeley Police spokeswoman Officer Jennifer Coats told Berkeleyside. “Two suspects entered the business and attempted to steal the ATM machine.”
The suspects were unable to get the ATM machine and fled the area before the police arrived, Coats said. The suspects caused significant damage to the business and the owners lost most of their inventory.
Berkeleyside began receiving reports of the incident from readers before 6 a.m. Thursday via email and Twitter. Several were driving by on their commute to work and saw the smashed up storefront, which is two blocks from the Albany border.
“The Pic-n-Pac liquor store at the corner of Gilman and San Pablo is all smashed up,” wrote one reader via email at 5:57 a.m. “Someone either broke in or drove their car through the front door. Big mess. PD on the scene.”
“Looks like somebody drove into the Pic-n-Pac at San Pablo and Gilman last night or this morning. Wayward driver or thief?” posted David Davenport to Twitter.
Jef Poskanzer, who took the photograph of the damaged store at top, reported that at around midday there was no evidence of cleaning up yet, and there was a smell of what he believed was vermouth.
Officer Coats said it is possible BPD will release footage of the crime.
This story was updated as we sourced more information.
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