At around 4:20 a.m. Thanksgiving morning, a vehicle was driven through the front of the 7-Eleven on Buena Vista Avenue, just west of Webster Street. According to Lt. Ryan DeRespini, Watch Commander with the Alameda Police Department (APD), the perpetrator(s) involved in the break-in made off with a safe or ATM machine and potentially other merchandise, per the police report received. At the time of the burglary, the business was closed—this location does not operate 24/7, but rather closes at or after midnight and reopens in the morning.
By mid-morning Thursday, the business remained shuttered. Broken glass from the busted front windows littered the sidewalk and pavement. A staff member was sweeping up the parking lot and turning away would-be customers at the door. Inside, several shelves sustained extensive damage and part of the checkout counter had been ripped from the ground. Portions of the ceiling had also collapsed, and debris and merchandise were strewn everywhere.
Both the owner and staff member on scene declined the Alameda Post’s request for comment. But a few of the store’s regular customers had plenty to say.
“My mouth dropped,” said Alejandro Altamirano, as he reflected on the extent of the damage. “Everyone around here relies on this store.”
Altamirano lives nearby and frequents the store for drinks, and said that this was at least the third time this year that the business has been burglarized.
Another regular, who identified himself as Buster Montgomery, echoed Altamirano’s frustration.
“I’m pissed off,” said Montgomery. “I can’t get my cigarettes.”
Lt. DeRespini told the Alameda Post that an investigation is underway. Police are processing evidence and reviewing security footage from the business and around the neighborhood. As of Thursday evening, no suspect information has been made public and no one has yet been taken into custody.
The incident comes just one week after a 7-Eleven in Oakland’s Dimond District was also hit by thieves early in the morning, and follows a string of similar burglaries targeting 7-Eleven locations across that city, according to CBS News Bay Area.
This is a developing story. Stay with the Alameda Post for updates.
Ken Der is a contributing writer for the Alameda Post. Contact him via [email protected]. His writing is collected at AlamedaPost.com/Ken-Der.
