Local Party Store Robbers in Flint, Michigan, Give New Meaning to "Drive-Thru"; One Arrested

Forget hole in the wall bars, forget drive-thru fast food, some local robbers are giving new meaning to those as they drive right through front doors of many local party stores. The goal: Stealing the ATMs.

Within the past two weeks, six party stores have been broken into mainly by a group of thieves driving right into the store, stealing ATMs. The vehicles are rammed through the walls causing thousands of dollars of damage at each location.

Last week, the group of people railed the back of a pickup right through King's Market, located in one of Flint's underdeveloped areas.

"We've had many incidents happen here, but never have we had this happen," the market's owner stated.

The blast of the pickup truck relocated the front counter about 4 feet and the damage done caused the market to shut its doors for over a week and a half.

"We had to have extensive repair done to the front of the store which took longer than planned," the owner said of its reopening.

The suspects also dislodged the ATM located at the front of the store, impacted by the crash. However, the market does not leave much money in the ATM at night. Though the ATM had been securely bolted to the floor, it would only take less than two people to carry the machine out the door.

"We've been robbed several times, including one time the robbers came through the roof. Never a drive in crash."

The group that has hit several party stores within the Flint area including one in Clio. This time, they hit the Pick Quick located downtown Flint on Grand Traverse St on Sunday night. But this would be the final time one of the suspects get away with the drive in crashes.

After blowing through the building and causing more than $25,000 in damages, two of the suspects got away with $40 left in the ATM, while a 23 year old was arrested at the site. The suspect will be charged with possession of a stolen vehicle and stolen property. Other charges will more than likely be assessed due to the damage caused by the impact once the store owner presses charges.

The Pick Quick however will be prepared for any future incidents happening. The store is installing heavy metal bars into the ground across the front area of the store.

"It will be secure and look like a jailhouse," owner Rahim Fahad stated.