In a shocking incident, a Nordstrom store in Los Angeles fell victim to a mob of over 30 individuals on Saturday, resulting in the theft of nearly $100,000 worth of handbags and clothing. The Los Angeles Police Department revealed that this group of “criminals” orchestrated the heist at around 4 p.m. on that fateful day.
Footage captured from within the store offers a glimpse of the chaos that unfolded. A sizeable assembly of 30 to 50 people, donning hooded sweatshirts, can be seen in the store. They hurriedly make their way to the store’s entrance, clutching bags and hastily grabbing merchandise off racks, even stumbling as some items remained entangled.
Police assessments estimate the stolen goods’ value to fall within the range of $60,000 to $100,000. Notably, the mall was not evacuated during the incident, but paramedics treated an individual who had been sprayed with bear repellant.
This occurrence marks the second “flash mob” incident within Los Angeles County in a week. Just a few days prior, a group of thieves targeted a Yves Saint Laurent store in Glendale, California. Brazenly, they escaped with armfuls of merchandise valued at an estimated $300,000. The group swiftly departed the scene, making their getaway in nearby waiting vehicles.
Reacting to the Nordstrom incident, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass conveyed her condemnation, describing the events as “absolutely unacceptable.” She voiced the need for accountability among those responsible for such actions, pledging that law enforcement would not only identify those involved but also work diligently to prevent similar attacks on retailers moving forward.
The incident underscores the challenge posed by brazen smash-and-grab robberies, a trend that has gained prominence in California and other states in recent years, further exacerbated by the upheaval caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.