A daring group of thieves orchestrated a meticulously planned heist that left a Los Angeles businessman reeling. Ryan Baggaley, the owner of Delta Construction & Electric Co., watched in disbelief as his family-owned warehouse was ransacked by a mob of young criminals who crashed their way through the security gate in a stolen car. The brazen act of criminality has left Baggaley demanding that Democratic leaders take crime more seriously, as he questions their ability to protect hardworking citizens like himself.
Baggaley, a self-described fiscal conservative with liberal leanings on social issues, expressed his frustration with the current state of affairs. “I voted for Karen Bass. I voted for Biden. I voted for Gavin Newsom. I’m sick of it,” he exclaimed, his voice filled with exasperation. “It’s like, at some point you have to give me a reason to vote for you again.”
The incident unfolded in the early hours of the morning in the Glassell Park neighborhood. Despite the warehouse’s steel gates and roll-down doors, the thieves plowed a stolen car into the building, leaving a trail of destruction in their wake. Baggaley, visibly shaken, expressed his anger at the senseless act of violence. “The rage that me and my brothers have,” he said, his voice trembling with emotion. “You work so hard just to survive and make a living, and oh, cool, you just bashed our whole building up.”
Surveillance footage captured the shocking moment when the thieves initially rammed through the wrong gate, causing a gaping hole. Undeterred, one of the hooded accomplices redirected the driver, pointing towards the correct entrance. The stolen car crashed through the gate, granting the criminals access to the warehouse. Ignoring the blaring recording warning them of their capture, they swiftly made off with thousands of dollars worth of tools, construction supplies, and personal valuables belonging to the Baggaley brothers.
The total loss incurred by the heist is estimated to exceed $100,000, leaving Baggaley and his family devastated. The company’s Ring system alerted them to the break-in, prompting Baggaley’s wife to make frantic calls to 911. However, due to staffing shortages and a lack of officers in the area, the police arrived two hours later, leaving Baggaley disillusioned with the “defund the police” movement. While he acknowledges the need for accountability within law enforcement, he firmly believes that the majority of police officers provide an essential service to society.
The “crash and grab” or “ram-raiding” trend has been gaining momentum across the country, leaving a trail of shattered businesses in its wake. From a high-profile gun store break-in in Missouri to smaller boutiques specializing in rare vintage and collectible clothing, the impact of these brazen acts of theft is far-reaching. In Baggaley’s case, the suspect vehicle used in the break-in was stolen from the LAPD’s impound yard, further highlighting the audacity and resourcefulness of the criminals involved.
Despite the harrowing experience, Baggaley remains resolute in his determination to stand his ground. “I don’t want to leave,” he declared defiantly. “I’m not leaving. I’m standing my ground. I want it to be better.” As a proud Californian and descendant of pioneers who helped build the West, Baggaley’s frustration with soft-on-crime policies has reached its breaking point.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for action and change. Baggaley, once a staunch supporter of Democratic leaders, now questions their ability to address the rising tide of crime. With multiple businesses in the area falling victim to burglaries in recent weeks, the absence of police presence during critical times has left Baggaley and others wondering why their safety and livelihoods are being compromised.
As the shattered pieces of Baggaley’s warehouse are slowly pieced back together, the echoes of his plea for a more civilized and secure society resonate. The question remains: will his voice, and the voices of countless others affected by similar crimes, be heard by those in power? Only time will tell.
