Video shows thief crash into liquor store, steal $2,000 worth of Hennessy

TROUP COUNTY, Ga. — Video captured the moment a crime spree came to an end, but the culprit is still on the run.

The thief crashed into a Troup County liquor store, which the owners said they were not sure they’d be able to open today.

The owners had to spend their entire Christmas Day and night guarding their business because lumber companies were closed.

Police said a man stole a truck and used it to smash into Northside Package store in LaGrange, leaving a huge, gaping hole and shattered glass everywhere.

Surveillance video showed a man throwing a rock to break into the liquor store on New Franklin Road in LaGrange.

When that didn’t work, he got inside an SUV, which police say he stole from a nearby used car business.

He drove the truck right into the liquor store, tearing down a glass door and a brick wall.

Once he got inside, video shows the man stealing cases of liquor.

“I couldn’t sleep and I (didn’t) want to come back in this store,” store owner Dharmendra Patel said. “I’m in a good town, in a good area, and this happened like this, sometimes I’m scared.”

Patel says the man got away with $2,000 worth of Hennessy and caused about $15,000 to $20,000 in damage to his business.

“They broke glasses, the door and the wall and they stole three boxes of Hennessy,” Patel said.

Patel thinks the boarded-up walls will turn customers away.

“It is an impact with the customers and to me, too,” Patel said.

He says Christmas this year has been nothing short of a nightmare, but he’s thankful to have insurance.

“I want to spend some time with the family and friends, and I already had plans on Christmas Day, and it’s all messed up,” Patel said.

The crook left the SUV at a nearby apartment complex, and it was returned to the used car business.

We spoke with the owners there, and they say the crook broke into their business and stole several electronics, then broke into three other cars, and it was all caught on camera.

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