(FOX40.COM) – A Sacramento convenience store manager is working to hold the thieves and vandals accountable after dozens of children ransacked the Power Inn Chevron convenience store on Folsom Avenue Thursday night.
Store manager Shailesh Chand showed FOX40 security footage, revealing how the store transformed from a peaceful place with snacks to chaos and destruction in a matter of seconds.
“They feel like they can go into any store, pick something up, throw something away, do whatever they can and run away,” Chander said.
The video begins with some apparent students walking into the store, but things quickly escalate.
“There’s only one employee here,” Chander said. “They’re all here working, working hard and trying to survive.”
Dozens of young people rushed in and took over the business. Chandler explained how the teenagers destroyed a large amount of value in merchandise, created a potentially dangerous environment and damaged property. He said the cashier was scared – not knowing how far the teenage disturbance would go. He tried to stay calm and called 911.
“The crowd was trying to throw candy at him,” Chandler said.
Bags of chips flew through the air, and a thunderstorm of candy and soda swirled around the store. These destructive incidents happen all the time, Chander said, noting the key difference between large groups of people entering a store and large groups of people stealing and destroying merchandise. He added that the store had to replace doors twice in the past six months.
“People who do all of these things tend to be hostile and aggressive because they might, like, throw things out here,” Chander said.
He said he’s ready to hold those who target small stores accountable. The store manager said that gasoline prices are still rising, and it is hard enough to make a living working in the store without causing any more trouble.
“With the current volatility in natural gas prices, it’s difficult for the industry to survive,” Chander said. “We’ve already suffered because people are paying attention to gas prices now and are moving, so we’re losing customers.”
The Sacramento Police Department says this is not the first incident that night that is believed to involve the same group of teenagers. While police did not respond to the Chevron scene – because a formal report has not yet been filed – Chandler urged anyone who may recognize the people in the video to alert them to the impact their actions could have on other community members.
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