Thieves target employees working overnight at southeast Memphis store
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A group of out-of-town Dick’s Sporting Goods employees doing inventory at a southeast Memphis store was targeted by thieves early Tuesday morning.
Police said more than 20 vehicles parked at the business in the 7000 block of Polo Grounds Boulevard were broken into, and one car was stolen.
Police reports list 25 victims from East Tennessee, Mississippi, and Alabama. The Dick’s employees said that they had been working for several hours before they discovered the damage at around 1 a.m.
“There was glass everywhere. People were crying,” said one victim who did not want to be identified.
Police said the thieves stole a couple of guns, a purse, and credit cards and took a gray 2017 Nissan Maxima with an Alabama tag.
A Dick’s employee, who wanted to remain anonymous, said every vehicle on the lot had a broken window. She said she lost about $2,000 worth of items and personal identification.
“From what I heard, most went home that night instead of staying in their hotel rooms because it scared them that bad,” she said.
Officers also responded to a car burglary at Esporta Fitness in the same shopping center and believe the same individuals were responsible.
The vehicle break-ins at Dick’s Sporting Goods happened in front of a SkyCop camera. Police said a security guard was also at the store but she said she didn’t see anything.
“She parked in a red car in front of the door. She told me it was her first night working and that she wasn’t armed,” said an employee.
On Thursday afternoon, at least two security trucks were seen driving around the shopping center. Employees said they wished there had been more security the night they were working so late.
“They pretty much told us the main thing was our safety. They just pretty much said that over and over,” said a worker.
Employees said Dick’s has offered to pay for the damaged vehicles but not the stolen items.
WREG reached out to Dick’s Sporting Goods for a comment but has not heard back from anyone yet.
If you know anything about these vehicle break-ins or car thefts, call CrimeStoppers at (901) 528-CASH.
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