The owner of an Oakland 7-Eleven is describing a pair of robberies at his store as brazen and violent after a large group targeted the business twice in the same day.
The incidents happened Saturday in the middle of the day at the 7-Eleven at Fifth Avenue and International Boulevard. Video shows a large group of people storming the convenience store.
“It was very scary because you can cover the cost of the damage, but you can’t take a life back, bring a life back,” franchise owner D.A. Brar said.
Brar said it was the fifth time this year the store has been targeted by robbers and vandals. After the first incident Saturday, he said the clerk locked the doors, but the group returned.
“They decided to break in,” Brar said. “They used a crowbar or something. They had some metal in hand and they used it to smash all the windows.”
Brar estimates the store has sustained roughly $25,000 in damage this year. He believes crimes like these are among the reasons other stores and franchises have left Oakland.
But Brar said he cannot afford to close his store because he is tied to a long-term lease. He also said he doesn’t feel like he can install bars on the windows or stronger locks on the doors.
“These corner gas stations, 7-Elevens, they’re called convenience stores, where the customer can get in and out in three to five minutes for their essential needs,” Brar said. “So, no. I will not close the door. I will not put the bars there.
“The customer should be able to come in and pick up what they want.”
Brar said he is concerned about the safety of his employees and has advised them to remain vigilant and close the doors if they see a large group approaching.
“It’s hard to hire employees, retain them,” Brar said. “We are very much concerned for our employees’ safety.”
NBC Bay Area reached out to the Oakland Police Department for comment but had not received a response.
The 7-Eleven remains open, and Brar said he hopes the city can find a way to keep his store and other Oakland businesses safer.