CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — The global health crisis has made it difficult for many businesses, especially area bars, to reopen. One small business is facing another obstacle after thieves caused heavy damage and stole their ATM machine.
The incident happened Sunday, November, 29 around 6:40 am. Surveillance video shows a pickup truck backing up to the front door of The Nest Nightclub & Lounge and two suspects running out of the truck and breaking into the business.
“I just saw the damage of my walls, to my glass, to my front doors, I noticed that there was a little bit of damage to tables and chairs,” said the owner of The Nest and Neils Urban Oven.
Smith says the thieves were focused on the ATM machine and images show the suspects created much damage inside after dragging the money machine out of the building. Smith says he’s thankful that no one was hurt.
“It’s real devastating, we’ve been trying, doing as much as we can just to be open for my employees, my family just like that get everything going, we finally get everything set up the way we have to now because of COVID and then for something like this to happen, it’s a heartache,” said Smith.
Smith says as soon as the officers with the Corpus Christi Police Department finished investigating the area, friends and members of the community came together; picking up the pieces. They remained open for business. Smith says the situation was very unfortunate but he will continue to stay open.
“And we just had to do it, there’s nothing that’s going to stop us from being open everyday now because right now is the time to do it, we got the holidays I have family, my employees have family, I don’t want them to be out of work or anybody out of work or inconvenienced for the holidays,” said Smith.
Many supporters of the small local businesses took their concerns with an uproar and shock to social media because the burglars have not been caught. Smith says folks at home can help by stopping by and supporting local businesses.
“And from now on if they see something they need to say something because little stuff like this happens randomly and we just need to all be aware and take care of each other as a community,” said Smith.
Our KRIS 6 News team reached out to CCPD and officers say the investigation is still ongoing.
