Bal Poudel started his early-morning shift at the Dunbarton convenience store last month shortly before 7.
Just like always.
For years he would grab the newspapers from the sidewalk in front of Page’s Country Store and Deli on Concord Stage Road with keys in hand.
He’d unlock the front door and instantly hear that familiar high-pitched tone. A little annoying, sure, but a comforting signal that the alarm system had done its job overnight.
Then, Poudel would enter a code on a nearby keypad to shut off the alarm and begin another work day for an employer with seven years of experience at the store.
This time, though, there was no sound. That set off a different type of alarm, the one inside Poudel’s mind. Perhaps it was a malfunction of some type, he hoped. When Poudel noticed the ATM machine was damaged and had been moved from the area near the cash register to the back of the store, he knew that this was no malfunction.
The machine had been opened. The store’s surveillance cameras showed one of the two masked suspects used a blowtorch to open it. An unknown amount of cash was stolen.
“Everyone who opens the store in the morning opens the door and enters the pin number,” Poudel said. “I heard nothing, I didn’t hear the beep. I saw a computer screen blank in front and stuff was moved around.”
This wasn’t your typical case of shoplifting. Poudel said the thieves made off with easier-to-steal items as well, like cigars, cigarettes and vapes. But this was a heavy-duty crime.
Dunbarton Police Chief Chris Remillard has been a cop in town for more than 13 years. This is a new one, he said.
“I have investigated numerous burglaries in the past,” Remillard said by email, “but I have never seen anything quite like this.”
In fact, Poudel says the store has never been burglarized or robbed during his seven years working there. The owner, Hammad Zaka, could not be reached for comment.
The thieves entered from the rear of the store and were equipped with crowbars and kept their faces covered during the smash-and-grab operation.
“They took the pad for the alarm and ripped it right off the wall,” Poudel said. “They took down the speaker used for the alarm.”
Police put it this way on their Facebook page: “The suspects were able to gain access to the building by prying open a rear door after disabling the alarm system. Once inside, they gained access to an ATM by using a blowtorch and pry bar.”
Remillard said it was too early to say if the department had any suspects.
“To protect the integrity of this ongoing investigation,” he said in his email, “I am unable to provide certain information at this time. However, I can say that we are following up on several leads and working closely with other law enforcement agencies.”
A series of five surveillance photos released by police show a rough sequence of events and equipment used.
Photo No. 1 shows an individual walking into what looks like a storage room. His face is covered with red scarf-like material and he’s wearing a baseball hat turned backward, leaving only his eyes visible. He’s carrying a yellow crowbar, presumably used to pry open the door seen in the background.
Next, a second intruder is seen entering the store, this time with the door closed behind him. His face is covered with what appears to be a blue-and-white striped mask, and he’s wearing a matching hood and jacket. He’s also carrying a long yellow rod.
The final two photos are revealing, with one showing the red-masked suspect dragging the ATM machine down an aisle surrounded by a cooler on one side and chips on the other. The person with the blue and white jacket is also visible in the shot.
In the final photo released, the red-masked individual is leaning over the machine and holding something that is emitting a white glow, likely the blowtorch.
“They dragged it out to the back,” Poudel said. “No one could see them there.”
All that was left the next morning was a battered ATM machine and a door that had been forced open.
“I worked that morning,” Poudel said. “Amazing. They torched it and then they opened it, and then they took the cash.”
Dunbarton and Concord police have reached out looking for the public’s help. Remillard said tips can be phoned into his department at 774-5500.
Those wishing to remain anonymous can call the Concord Regional Crimeline at 226-3100, or by visiting concordregional crime line.com.