Detroit police are looking for a suspect who stole a front loader and rammed it into the front of a CVS near Vernor Highway and Campbell Street today, shattering glass and mangling the storefront. It was not immediately known whether anyone was hurt, and police have not announced any arrests. The dramatic impact, captured on nearby cameras, is the latest incident to put a spotlight on how thieves are turning to heavy machinery to go after retail businesses.
According to CBS News Detroit, Detroit Police are asking for the public's help after an unknown suspect allegedly took the construction vehicle and used it in an attempt to break into the CVS Pharmacy at the busy southwest Detroit intersection. The outlet aired a video that appears to show the front loader smashing into the building, while officers urged anyone with information to reach out. Officials have not shared where the machine was originally taken from or whether it has since been recovered.
The short video clip shows the loader pressing into the façade and popping out large panes of glass before the operator hops out and leaves on foot. Voices from bystanders and nearby workers can be heard off camera as the chaos unfolds. Investigators are gathering surveillance footage from neighboring businesses to trace the heavy equipment's route, and detectives said they are canvassing the area to track down witnesses.
Smash-and-grab methods keep cropping up
Vehicle ramming and ATM-focused smash-and-grab attempts have hit metro Detroit and other cities in recent years, with suspects using everything from U-Hauls to pickups to construction equipment to rip out machines or punch open storefronts. FOX 2 Detroit reported a January 2025 case in which a U-Haul was used to ram a CVS during an attempted ATM theft, and according to Hoodline, a pickup slammed into another Detroit CVS in a separate May incident, underscoring how often the chain has been targeted. Merchants say these episodes have forced them to rethink everything from window protection to where they place their ATMs.
Police ask the public for help
Investigators are urging anyone who saw the incident or who has dash-cam or doorbell-camera video from around Vernor and Campbell to contact Detroit police so they can chase down leads. The department typically directs tipsters to its non-emergency phone line or online reporting options as cases unfold, and officials stressed that information from the community can be crucial in tracking suspects who flee on foot.
Police say the investigation remains active and that more details will be released as they are confirmed, including the status of repairs and any potential arrests. Hoodline will update this story as authorities provide additional information.
