Ten Suspects Apprehended for Multiple Flash Mob Robberies at Los Angeles Nike Store

Los Angeles police have announced that they apprehended ten individuals in connection with a series of flash mob robberies at a Nike store in East L.A. Four of the suspects have been charged with felonies related to organized retail theft. Additionally, two of the suspects had outstanding arrest warrants, one of which was related to shoplifting. The police have recovered over $3,000 worth of stolen merchandise and returned it to Nike. The arrests were made as part of a covert operation conducted on Thursday and Friday at the Nike Community Store in East Los Angeles. The same store had experienced similar incidents in the past. The last reported theft occurred on August 13, where shoplifters swarmed the business and fled with bags full of sneakers and other merchandise. Two street gangs associated with organized retail theft were also identified during the operation. Flash mob robberies, where groups of thieves rush into a store, grab as much merchandise as possible, and quickly leave, have become a problem in the Los Angeles area in recent weeks. One such incident took place at Nordstrom store in the Westfield Topanga shopping mall on August 12. Approximately 30 to 50 people stole clothes, bags, and other goods, making off with up to $100,000 worth of merchandise in less than a minute. No arrests have been made in that incident. Another incident occurred on August 8, where a crew of looters stole around $300,000 worth of goods from the Yves Saint Laurent store in Glendale. While one suspect was arrested on August 17, records show that he was released on the same day.