Southern California stores hit by daytime burglaries in ‘flash-mob’ style.
Audacious Daytime Burglaries Rock Los Angeles County
In a daring display of criminality, a luxury department store in Los Angeles County fell victim to a second daytime “flash-mob” burglary over the weekend, resulting in a staggering loss of $300,000. The Los Angeles Police Department suspects a connection to a similar incident that occurred just four days earlier in Glendale.
The audacious heist took place at the Nordstrom department store located in the Westfield Topanga Mall in Canoga Park. Around 4 p.m. on August 12, more than 30 suspects, donning hoodies and ski masks, some armed with knives, swarmed the store. In a matter of minutes, they made off with approximately $300,000 worth of merchandise before fleeing in several vehicles.
This incident bears a striking resemblance to the flash-mob theft that unfolded on August 8 at a Glendale shopping center, just 45 minutes away.
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“We’re working with law enforcement partners throughout the county to assist each other,” stated Los Angeles Police Department spokesman Sgt. Bruce Borihanh. “Maybe they’re the same [suspects], or maybe they’re not.”
A viral video capturing the Nordstrom burglary shows the group members frantically grabbing clothing, handbags, and other valuable items. Investigators are meticulously reviewing surveillance footage in hopes of identifying the license plates of the getaway vehicles.
According to Mr. Borihanh, the entire incident lasted a mere two minutes. “They targeted handbags and high-end stuff they know they can sell,” he added.
During the burglary, one of the store’s security guards was sprayed with bear spray, a substance similar to pepper spray. Fortunately, he received immediate treatment at the scene and made a full recovery.
While an LAPD officer has been deployed at the mall, there are no plans for an increased police presence. Instead, the LAPD is collaborating with retailers, security personnel, and other law enforcement agencies to prevent future incidents.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass expressed her outrage at the incident, stating, “Those who committed these acts and acts like it in the neighboring areas must be held accountable. The Los Angeles Police Department will continue to work to not only find those responsible for this incident but to prevent these attacks on retailers from happening in the future.”
‘I’m Helpless’: Mall Security Guard
Kevin Johnson, a mall security guard who witnessed the aftermath of the burglary, described the perpetrators as “hooligans.” He lamented the regular occurrence of theft at the mall and expressed his expectation of future incidents. However, Mr. Johnson is not authorized to confront suspected thieves and is prohibited from taking any action against them.
This is not the first time the Nordstrom location has fallen victim to organized crime. In 2021, the store was burglarized the day before Thanksgiving by a group of five individuals who made off with several expensive handbags. The security guard on duty during that incident was also sprayed with a chemical by the suspects.
The LAPD is collaborating with the Glendale Police Department to determine if the same suspects were involved in the burglary that occurred in Glendale just four days prior. In that incident, over 30 suspects stormed a Yves Saint Laurent store at The Americana at Brand shopping center, stealing clothing and other merchandise valued at approximately $300,000.
Rick Caruso, the owner of the shopping center and former Los Angeles mayoral candidate, has offered a reward of $50,000 for any information leading to the arrest and conviction of the suspects.
Meanwhile, in Irvine, California, police are on the lookout for three suspects involved in a jewelry store heist. The thieves were caught on store video breaking into display cases and making off with approximately $900,000 worth of jewelry.
Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody has pointed to California’s crime policies as a contributing factor to these brazen thefts. She emphasized that in Florida, organized retail theft is not tolerated, and they are fighting back with force against such criminal activities.
The recent surge in flash mob-style retail crime has drawn attention to Los Angeles County’s reinstatement of a zero-cash bail system. While awaiting a final ruling in a lawsuit, the county has reverted to a policy of requiring no bail for suspects charged with most non-violent felonies or misdemeanors. Local law enforcement has already observed an increase in property crime as a result.
LAPD Chief Michel Moore testified in the lawsuit, stating, “I do believe that bail acts as a general deterrence. It creates consequences. You face a risk of being incarcerated as a punishment.”
The investigation into these audacious burglaries continues as law enforcement agencies work tirelessly to bring the perpetrators to justice and prevent further attacks on retailers.
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