MEMPHIS, TN – Surveillance footage has captured a brazen smash-and-grab incident at a Midtown gas station, involving five teenagers and two stolen vehicles. The chaotic scene unfolded in a matter of minutes, leaving significant damage and a community in shock.
The incident occurred just before 5 a.m. at a BP gas station on Poplar Avenue and North Cleveland Street. Surveillance cameras recorded the dramatic moment when a red Toyota RAV4 repeatedly rammed into the store’s front entrance, eventually breaking through. Accompanying the RAV4 was a black Infiniti, both reportedly stolen.
Once inside, the group of young males quickly began to ransack the store. They targeted cash registers and cigarette displays, making off with several boxes of cigarettes and two cash drawers containing approximately $4,000.
Authorities have confirmed that one of the vehicles was previously reported stolen, while the other is believed to be connected to a carjacking that took place a day prior. The investigation is ongoing, with police actively searching for the suspects involved.
Local residents expressed dismay at the incident. Sandra Blue, a mother who frequents the gas station, voiced her concerns about youth crime and the need for parental accountability. “Parents need to step up and take responsibility for their children’s actions,” she said.
The crime has sparked discussions about the lack of youth programs in the area, with some community members advocating for initiatives to engage young people and deter them from criminal activities.
A check of the Memphis data hub reveals that police have responded to over 60 calls within a half-mile radius of the gas station since the start of the year, highlighting ongoing safety concerns in the neighborhood.
Police are still pursuing the suspects.