LCBO responds to smash-and-grabs

The LCBO will put concrete barriers in front of its Thunder Bay stores in an effort to stop drive-through smash and grabs.

Liquor thieves have twice driven through the front entrances of LCBO and Beer Stores in an effort to steal booze in the last two years. The barriers would stop would-be thieves from trying another similar smash and grab.

LCBO spokesman Chris Layton said the five-foot high bollards will be installed in the spring.

"Because they have to be driven into the ground, we need to have the ground thaw a bit," Layton said. "The main thing is to have something to prevent a vehicle from, accidentally or intentionally, going into the stores."

More than a week ago a vehicle was driven through the Beer Store on Cumberland Street. A spokesperson for the store said barriers will likely go up at that location.