KTLA

11 arrested in connection with flash mob robberies in Southern California

Vivian Chow

A group of flash mob robbers raiding a Nordstrom at the Westfield Topanga mall on Aug. 12, 2023 and video of a group of thieves ransacking a Nordstrom Rack in Riverside on July 10, 2023. (TNLA, Riverside Police Department)

Police have arrested 11 suspects in connection with a series of flash mob robberies taking place across Southern California. 

The arrests were made by detectives from the newly-formed Organized Retail Crime Taskforce which was created earlier this month to stop the rising number of group robberies targeting retailers.

The task force has taken charge of nine recent cases involving flash mob robbers in which 11 suspects have been taken into custody. The suspects’ identities have not been released.

The four flash mob robberies related to the arrests took place at:

– Versace Store at the Beverly Center
– A Warehouse Shoe Store
– Nordstrom at Westfield Topanga Mall
– Yves Saint Laurent at The Americana at Brand

Video captured a mob of thieves swarming a Nordstrom in Canoga Park as they cleared out the store during a destructive robbery on August 12, 2023. (TNLA)
Video captured a mob of thieves swarming a Nordstrom in Canoga Park as they cleared out the store during a destructive robbery on August 12, 2023. (TNLA)
Video captured a mob of thieves swarming a Nordstrom in Canoga Park as they cleared out the store during a destructive robbery on August 12, 2023. (TNLA)
Security video captured a mob of thieves ransacking a Nordstrom Rack in Riverside and escaping with thousands of dollars worth of designer handbags. (Riverside Police Department)
A group of thieves who were caught on camera robbing a Nike store in East Los Angeles were arrested on August 17, 2023. (California Highway Patrol, Citizen)
Thieves robbed the YSL store at the Americana at Brand on Aug. 9, 2023. (Katelynn Jasper)
Security video two men wanted for theft at a Nordstrom Rack in Riverside on Aug. 14, 2023. (Riverside Police Department)
A group of thieves who were caught on camera robbing a Nike store in East Los Angeles were arrested on August 17, 2023. (California Highway Patrol)
Security cameras captured burglars ransacking a Beverly Hills wig shop and escaping with almost $200,000 worth of wigs meant for cancer patients. (The Wig Fairy)
Security cameras captured burglars ransacking a Beverly Hills wig shop and escaping with almost $200,000 worth of wigs meant for cancer patients. (The Wig Fairy)
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The arrests involve an increasing number of flash mob robberies taking place across Southern California over the past month including previous incidents at:

-A Nordstrom at the Westfield Topanga mall
-A luxury handbag theft in Glendale
-A YSL store at the Americana at Brand in Glendale
-A luxury denim store in Hancock Park
-A Nike store in East L.A.
-A Gucci store at South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa
-A Nordstrom Rack in Riverside
-A wig store in Beverly Hills

In most flash mob robberies, a large group of thieves will overwhelm store employees and security guards while grabbing as many items as possible before fleeing. Their hauls often exceed $100,000 since many of the targeted stores are high-end retailers.

“These are not victimless crimes,” said L.A. Mayor Karen Bass. “No Angeleno should feel like it is not safe to go shopping in Los Angeles. No entrepreneur should feel like it’s not safe to open a business in Los Angeles.”

The newly-formed Organized Retail Crime Taskforce will not only focus on the suspects robbing retailers, but also on those who purchase the stolen goods online, officials said.