Excavator used to break into Detroit liquor store, police say

The owner of the JR Party Store told WDIV the excavator caused more than $150,000 or structural damage, and that $75,000 worth of liquor was destroyed.

According to police, around 5:22 a.m., the thieves hot-wired the excavator, which was located at a construction site near the store, WXYZ reported. They used the excavator to gain entry into the store and stole "numerous bottles of liquor," according to the television station.

The excavator belongs to Smalley Construction, WDIV reported. Rickey Smalley, an employee for the firm, was at the store, looking for the vehicle.

"The Detroit Police Department has it, I assume," Smalley told the television station.

Police are still investigating the break-in.