Current:Home > ScamsLos Angeles leaders create task force to address surge in retail flash mob robberies-InfoLens
Los Angeles leaders create task force to address surge in retail flash mob robberies
View Date:2025-01-11 06:06:24
Los Angeles has seen a recent spike in flash mob robberies at high-end retailers, part of an ongoing issue that prompted L.A. officials to announce a new multi-agency task force to crack down on the problem.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, along with officials from the LAPD and the L.A. County Sheriff's Department, announced Thursday that the task force will provide a coordinated approach to addressing the trend of smash-and-grab and flash mob retail thefts.
"Our number one job is to keep Angelenos safe and to feel safe," Bass said at a news conference. "When incidents of brazen theft and robbery occur, it shatters that feeling of safety."
Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said he is aware of at least 170 organized retail thefts — including smash-and-grabs and flash mobs — dating back to the fall of 2021.
"We are not only focused on the individuals walking into these stores and committing the crimes that we see on video, but if you are supporting them logistically, either by being a driver, harboring them, buying merchandise, selling merchandise, you're in this chain," Luna said.
The task force will be centered in the San Fernando Valley and spearheaded by the LAPD. It will include several local, state and federal agencies, including the FBI and U.S. Marshals Service.
There will be 22 full-time investigators assigned to the task force with three separate surveillance and apprehension teams, said LAPD deputy chief Kris Pitcher. A prosecutor from the L.A. County District Attorney's Office will be embedded with the task force.
"We will be working effectively to go out and immediately identify, arrest these individuals, and serve immediate search warrants, and apprehend them, and bring them in custody and put them before the prosecutors to ultimately obtain justice for this," Pitcher said.
Despite a new federal law preventing the sale of stolen goods online, Bass noted some items still make it to those online markets.
"When these real high-end crimes are taking place, of purses that might cost $10,000 or $25,000...you know, they're being sold online," Bass said.
Michael Carson, a senior director for online retailer eBay, said eBay partners with law enforcement to flag stolen goods.
"It's where we work proactively and collaboratively with retailers to identify types of goods that may be stolen, and work with law enforcement to bring prosecution to people that may be committing crimes," Carson said.
Notable smash-and-grab and flash mob thefts
Pitcher on Thursday listed some of the largest recent incidents:
- July 3: Four suspects wearing hooded sweatshirts and masks stole $32,000 of merchandise from Bloomingdales in the Westfield Century City Shopping Center.
- July 31: Ten to 15 suspects wearing hooded sweatshirts and masks stole $100,000 worth of merchandise from a Gucci store in the Westfield Century City Shopping Center.
- Aug. 12: A flash mob of about 30 people wearing hooded sweatshirts and masks rushed into Nordstrom in the Westfield Topanga Shopping Center, sprayed a security guard with bear spray and stole $300,000 worth of merchandise.
- Aug. 15: Eleven suspects wearing hooded sweatshirts and masks rushed into Ksubi, a high-end Hancock Park retail shop, and stole $100,000 worth of merchandise. One of the suspects simulated a gun in his pocket to a security guard, police said.
- In:
- Los Angeles
- Retail Theft
- Robbery
The KCAL News Staff is a group of experienced journalists who bring you the content on KCALNews.com and CBSLA.com.
Twitter Facebook InstagramveryGood! (8226)
Related
- NBA players express concern for ex-player Kyle Singler after social media post
- Ulta 24-Hour Flash Sale: Take 50% Off Fenty Beauty by Rihanna, NuFACE, It Cosmetics, Clinique & Benefit
- Why a 2022 fatal shark attack in Australia has been classified as provoked
- Fans are saddened over the death of Technoblade, a popular Minecraft YouTuber
- World leaders aim to shape Earth's future at COP29 climate change summit
- Is Ted Lasso Ending After Season 3? Everything the Cast and Creators Have Said About the Finale
- Ransomware attacks are hitting small businesses. These are experts' top defense tips
- GLAAD gives social media giants poor grades over lack of protections for LGBTQ users
- Why Cynthia Erivo Needed Prosthetic Ears for Wicked
- Twitter reports a revenue drop, citing uncertainty over Musk deal and the economy
Ranking
- KFC sues Church's Chicken over 'original recipe' fried chicken branding
- Ashley Graham Reveals Husband Justin Ervin Got a Vasectomy After Twins' Birth
- COVID global health emergency is officially ending, WHO says, but warns virus remains a risk
- Sephora 24-Hour Flash Sale: Take 50% Off Smashbox, Nudestix, and More
- College Football Fix podcast addresses curious CFP rankings and previews Week 12
- Making Space Travel Accessible For People With Disabilities
- Netflix will roll out a cheaper plan with ads for $6.99 per month in November
- A former employee accuses Twitter of big security lapses in a whistleblower complaint
Recommendation
-
Minnesota county to pay $3.4M to end lawsuit over detainee’s death
-
Adam Levine's Journey to Finding Love With Behati Prinsloo and Becoming a Father of 3
-
California sues Amazon, alleging its policies cause higher prices everywhere
-
Damien Hirst just burned 1,000 of his paintings and will soon burn thousands more
-
Florida man’s US charges upgraded to killing his estranged wife in Spain
-
Human remains found inside two crocodiles believed to be missing fisherman
-
Shawn Mendes Clears the Air on Sabrina Carpenter Dating Rumors
-
Why Biden's plan to boost semiconductor chip manufacturing in the U.S. is so critical