ROANOKE TIMES 
                      Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times

DATE: Friday, March 8, 1996                  TAG: 9603080072
SECTION: VIRGINIA                 PAGE: C6   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: DIANE STRUZZI

SALVATION ARMY HAS INSTANT `DRIVE-THROUGH'

A Roanoke woman drove through the window of the Salvation Army Thrift Shop on Williamson Road in Roanoke County on Thursday morning. No one was injured, and no charges were placed.

Police said Susan Swanson, 36, attempted to park her car in front of the store, at 5417 Williamson Road, about 10:30 a.m. Instead, the car went over the curb and ran through the store's front window.

"I heard the glass break and just watched her come plumb on through," said store manager Brenda Wright.

The car shattered the store's front window, crumbled some of the foundation and crashed into some of the furniture. Police estimate the damage at about $10,000.

"It boosted my sales," Wright said. "We were saying we're having a crash sale or a drive-through. Everybody was just coming and having fun with it."

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