Teens crash stolen car into Englewood store, owner says ‘devastated’

CHICAGO – A police chase led two teenagers to crash a stolen vehicle into an Englewood convenience store, the business owner said.

The accident happened around midnight Saturday Sunday at Paradise Dollar and Up, located at 74th and Vincennes.

All day Sunday, the car remained inside the convenience store long after the premises were vacated.

Charles Martin, the store’s owner, said the damage was devastating.

“Right now, I’m devastated. It’s going to take a lot of time and money to fix this,” Martin said.

The area where the crash occurred, a busy intersection, has seen an increase in crime, with reports of shootings in recent days.

Kandy Mason, a mother and grandmother, called the situation “sad” and added: “Right now, young men don’t have a father in their life or great uncles. We must continue to pray for them.

As building engineers assess the extensive damage to the building, Martin said maintaining the store was already a challenge in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, as many elderly people and schoolchildren rely on the business for essential goods.

In addition to the damage, Martin said his cat is still missing.

Chicago police confirmed that the two teens, ages 14 and 15, were arrested and uninjured in the crash.

Zone 1 police are still investigating.