Thieves Use Van As Battering Ram In Attempt To Burglarize Cerritos Gun Store

CERRITOS (CBS) — A stolen van, used as a battering ram by thieves, crashed into ammunition store early Monday morning in an unsuccessful burglary attempt.

Los Angeles County Sheriff's deputies say a blue and white 1984 Chevrolet van was used in an attempt to burglarize Ammo Bros. in the 15000 block of Piuma Avenue in Cerritos.

"Somebody that was going to work down the street and called the cops," said Shaun Redmon of the 4:30 a.m. attempt.

The van was reported stolen out of Bellflower on Saturday, officials said. The would-be thieves tried to break down the businesses 8 x 6 steel cage that blocked the store's entrance several times, all of which were caught on surveillance video.

"It stopped the van, you know, ramming it three times, from coming in . . . . So, you know, it is really strong. It did its job," Redmon said.

The suspects were attempting to steal ammunition and firearms from the store.

"It does rattle us, but that's why we take the precautions that we take by setting up the security that we have so that crooks can't get in and get to the stuff that they want to get to," Redmon added.

"Had this been successful and the guns end up in the hands of criminals, they would present an inherent danger to the public," said Lieutenant Richard Harpham in a statement.

Detectives are looking for two or three male suspects who may have used a gray sedan and champagne colored Ford Excursion as getaway vehicles.

Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to contact Cerritos Station Detectives at (562) 860-0044.