Rampant Flash Mob Robberies Plague Luxury Stores in LA County

The Nike store in East Los Angeles is being targeted by flash mob-style robberies on a weekly basis, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. In the most recent incident, two suspects were caught on camera stealing approximately $1,000 worth of shoes and other items. This comes after a group of around 30 individuals stole over $300,000 in merchandise from a Nordstrom store. Law enforcement and business leaders are calling for stricter laws and enforcement to hold repeat offenders accountable. Retail robberies, burglaries, and thefts in Los Angeles have reached their highest levels in over a decade. Efforts to amend shoplifting and petty theft laws have failed, and there is a divide on how to handle apprehended thieves. District Attorney George Gascón views these crimes as organized crime and emphasizes the need to hold individuals accountable, including those who perpetuate demand by buying stolen goods.