When thieves broke into Peter and Vicki Neou's store in Canberra's north late last month, they used a four-wheel drive to smash through the doors.
They caused about $70,000 of damage but left with just a few bottles of cheap vodka, dropping one on their way out.
It was the kind of act of vandalism that took just a few minutes, but had long-lasting effects for small business owners.
In the past three weeks, several businesses across Canberra have been targeted in ram-raids and break-ins.
Mr Neou said the attack on the couple's store was devastating and one they were still recovering from.
"Sometimes you're better off saying just 'take the keys and take what you want'," he said.
"That way it will cost us less money."
The damage extended to inside the store. Part of the roof was destroyed and the registers were rendered unusable.
The couple have since been making do without them while waiting for their insurance to come through.
"It was like the olden days," Mr Neou said.
"You have to run around trying to find the price."
He said the raid left the couple traumatised and unable to sleep for days.
"It was really hard to concentrate," Ms Neou said.
"You were worried you were going to get a phone call again."
'It really hurts': Neighbourhood targeted multiple times
Stores across Canberra's north have been the targets of ram-raids and break-ins.
This week thieves broke into a fish and chip shop next door to Mr and Ms Neou's store.
Owner Bao Diep said the thieves stole about $200 in cash — enough to sting — and he was left wondering what was next.
"It really hurts," he said.
"It's a whole day's earnings for me and you feel bad because it could happen again."
Earlier this week criminals attempted to ram-raid a store in Hackett.
The attempt failed and the individuals instead targeted a restaurant and a beauty store.
At the beauty store they took a laptop and some pillow cases.
At a few stores thieves failed to take anything at all, just damaging the properties.
In the past two weeks, at least six stores have been targeted in similar attacks, almost always with the use of stolen cars.
ACT police did not confirm if the cases were linked, saying they were still looking for those responsible.
"We are doing everything we can to identify these people and put them before the courts," Detective Sergeant Marcus Boorman said.
