Smash-and-grab thieves target rental store

HOUSTON – Construction equipment was stolen during a smash-and-grab in northwest Houston.

Houston police said someone rammed a vehicle into Champion Rentals on North Shepherd near Dillard about 11 a.m. Thursday.

A gate prevented the vehicle from getting all the way inside, but thieves was able to take about $3,000 worth of hammers and demolition tools from the store, investigators said.

"Caused us more damage than they do," employee Jace Sharpton said. "I believe someone had been here to see what we had and thought they were going to make off with a lot of stuff."

The thieves tried to take a water pump, but they couldn't get it through the security fence, officials said. Police said they dusted it for fingerprints to try to catch the culprits.

Officials said the store has security cameras, but they weren't working at the time of the break-in.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS.

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