WATCH: Thieves crash stolen backhoe into store before robbery

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Detectives were investigating a bizarre break-in early Tuesday after thieves apparently stole a construction vehicle from a nearby work site and crashed it into a Boost Mobile store in northwest Charlotte.

Police were called around 3:15 a.m. to the store on West Trade Street, near Fifth Street, just outside uptown.

When they arrived, officers found the front of the building smashed, including the door and windows, as well as concrete barriers outside.

The store's owner, Nage Saaeed, showed Channel 9 surveillance video from the break-in that captured an SUV drive by the store followed by the backhoe.

[ALSO READ: $300K worth of sunglasses stolen after thieves cut holes in Tanger Outlet store wall]

The person driving the equipment can be seen hitting the store three times before the door opens and two people race in, grabbing laptops and several cellphones out of a showcase.

The owner told Channel 9 the thieves got away with more than $49,000 in merchandise.

Police said after the smash and grab, one of the robbers drove the stolen backhoe away and abandoned the heavy machinery at a church around the corner on Bruns Avenue.

"I don't know how they came up with this idea," Saaeed said.

The contractor working for CATS Gold Line project said the backhoe was stolen from their site on West Trade Street. CATS later said that the company had reported it stolen over the weekend.

Saaeed said he blames the contractor for not securing the equipment.

"There’s too many crazy people outside, I don't know why they didn't secure it, lock it. Do something like that," he said. "It can kill people with that machine. It's like a tank."

According to CATS, anyone with knowledge of the machinery could operate one.

CATS sent Channel 9 the following statement:

"The contractor is in compliance with the means in which the equipment was stored within the work zone, however, the city is working with Johnson Bros. to find the most secure solution possible.'

No arrests have been made.

Check back with wsoctv.com for updates on this story.

Cox Media Group