Los Angeles was hit with two “flash mobs” not too long ago, and it isn’t the type with music and dancing.
“Flash mob” model robberies (when a big group of criminals storm a concentrated buying space to overwhelm staff, witnesses, and authorities) affected two California malls up to now week. The thieves obtained away with virtually half one million {dollars} in merchandise mixed.
The primary occurred final Tuesday at Yves Saint Laurent in The Americana at Model in Glendale, with over 30 suspected thieves operating into the shop simply earlier than 5 p.m. and stealing an estimated $300,000 value of merchandise earlier than fleeing the scene on foot and in a collection of automobiles.
One witness caught the incident on movie and posted it to TikTok. It has garnered simply shy of 1 million views.
@tinadabbles Theft at Americana… #theft #americana #smashandgrab #saintlaurent ♬ authentic sound – Tinadabbles
“This sort of felony exercise is not going to be tolerated in Glendale,” Glendale Police Chief Manny Cid stated in a assertion. “The Glendale Police Division will pursue all leads and make the most of each obtainable useful resource to apprehend these accountable and convey them to justice. Count on an elevated police presence in and across the downtown Glendale hall.”
The mall in Glendale is providing a $50,000 reward to anybody with data of the crime or the criminals.
A second incident occurred not too far-off in Woodland Hills on Saturday, the place a bunch of as much as 50 individuals attacked a Nordstrom retailer contained in the Westfield Topanga Mall and stole an estimated $100,000 value of luxurious merchandise from the division retailer, together with designer purses and clothes.
Movies on social media present the aftermath of the chaos, with damaged glass and racks thrown to the ground. The robbers reportedly used bear spray to fend off safety guards and people making an attempt to cease the crime.
@tuohybeauty NORDSTROM Topanga simply obtained hit! Similar those that hit YSL in Glendale. #goviral #hit #mall #theft #loopy#thisneedtostop ♬ authentic sound – Draco and Dahlia
“What occurred right now on the Nordstrom within the Topanga Mall is completely unacceptable,” Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass stated in a press release. “Those that dedicated these acts and acts prefer it in neighboring areas should be held accountable. The Los Angeles Police Division will proceed to work to not solely discover these accountable for this incident however to stop these assaults on retailers from occurring sooner or later.”
Authorities haven’t but commented on whether or not the incidents are associated.
