Video shows smash-and-snatch attempt at BC e-bike store

The owners of an e-bike store in Richmond, B.C., are reeling after someone crashed a stolen truck into their showroom during a smash-and-grab attempt over the weekend.

Surveillance video shows the vehicle, stolen from Disposal King, a local dumpster rental company, crashed into both separate entrances of the Richmond E-Bike along Maycrest Road in the early morning hours Saturday.

Tram Pham, co-owner of the store, told CTV News that the attempted burglary was a “huge shock” even though the business was the target of two other burglaries in June, causing more than $20,000 in damage.

“We’ve had a lot of people trying to get into our store for the last 10 years, but nothing like this,” said Pham, who runs the store with her husband.

This time, none of the merchandise was stolen — surveillance video shows the suspect trying to break through the store’s metal gate, which remained virtually intact after being struck by the truck — but Pham said some bikes were damaged.

Doors and windows at both entrances were also destroyed, forcing the owners to close for a significant period of the year.

“We are heading into the Christmas season, so we have a lot of customers buying gifts for their family members,” Pham said.

It’s unclear how much the latest damage will cost, as vehicle owners are still waiting for insurance companies’ estimates.

Pham thanked Richmond RCMP for quickly arriving and taking a suspect into custody. CTV News has reached out to the detachment for more information about the incident, including what charges the suspect may be facing.

Pham and her husband, meanwhile, vowed to repair their shop and move on, even though they began to feel their situation was “hopeless.”

“As a small business, we need more support from the government, we need more protection,” he said. “But this won’t make us give up. “We must continue.”