SURVEILLANCE: Austin smash-and grab, truck crashes through wall

CHICAGO (WLS) -- A pickup truck crashed through the wall of an urban clothing store in Chicago's Austin neighborhood during a smash-and-grab robbery, police said.

Chicago police responded to a burglary alarm at the J-Bees located in the 5200-block of West North Avenue around 4:20 a.m. Thursday. They found the vehicle abandoned at the scene.

Muhammad Lodhi, who manages the Northwest Side store, said surveillance video shows more than a dozen people jumped out of the truck after it repeatedly rammed into the rear wall of his store and broke through. Lodhi said it looked like the "whole neighborhood robbed the store."

"They stole this red truck from somewhere. Then they just backed up and smashed into the wall. They broke the wall. As soon as they broke it, about 20 people just walked into the store with garbage bags. They took everything," Lohdi said.

Police said an undetermined amount of clothing and proceeds were stolen. Lohdi said much of what was taken were brand-name items. The store owner, Sayad Hassan, said the damage to the store was extensive.

"The truck came and broke the whole wall, electric panel, AC ducts and gas line. Everything is broken," Hassan said.

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Lohdi said the family-owned business was prepared to open for Thanksgiving holiday shopping period when the incident occurred.

"We're supposed to open up today - all the location open up for the specials, for customers - 9a.m. to 6 p.m. But this thing just happened, so we don't know. We're going to still try and open up. Don't give up. You know what I mean?" Lohdi said.

There is no word on whether this incident is connected to the smash and grab that took place near Madison Street and Pulaski Road in Chicago's West Garfield Park neighborhood early Wednesday morning.

Officers are processing the scene in Austin and reviewing surveillance video.