Hit and Run Driver Demolishes Highland Cafe on York Before Brazenly Escaping

Police are on the lookout for a late-80’s tan Ford pickup truck after a vehicle matching that description plowed through one of Highland Park’s most beloved coffee shops over the weekend, before backing up and taking off again.

The brazen late night getaway took out most of the interior of The Highland Cafe, situated right on the corner of busy York Boulevard and Avenue 50. The cafe has become a serious hangout for locals in the area, but luckily the crash occurred around 2 a.m. Sunday morning, so no one was inside.

ABC7 has video of the incident, which is pretty incredible to see if only for its brazenness. Security footage shows the late-model truck absolutely demolishing an exterior wall, tossing full sections of the bar and interior into the air. The truck then backs up, dislodges itself from the mess, and takes off, even apparently as bystanders looked on.

For a look at the aftermath, here's an Instagram shot taken by the Highland Cafe owners themselves. For what it's worth, they're promising to reopen, though there's no timetable at the moment.

Unfortunately we will be closed today due to a wreckless hit and run. Thankfully no one was hurt #besidesourfeelings If anyone has any information please share with us and the rightful authorities. We will keep you updated on our progress. Looking forward to a 2nd Grand ReOpening. #wewillmissyou #temporarylyclosed #highlandcafe #highlandcafela #yorkblvd #nela #northeastla #northeastlosangeles #cafe #losangeles #coffee #breakfast #brunch #lunch #hitandrun #wreckless #wrecklessdriving #wreckingball

A photo posted by Highland Cafe LA (@highlandcafela) on Sep 27, 2015 at 5:49am PDT

Unfortunately, hit and run incidents seem to be on the rise in Highland Park (and across the city as a whole), with the neighborhood currently in the throes of yet another pedestrian being hit in a crosswalk on Figueroa a few days ago. In both the Highland Cafe and crosswalk incident, police are searching for suspects.