Police need help locating a flash mob that ransacked a Nike store in Watts, taking $12,000 worth of clothing.
The robbery occurred Sunday evening when at least 17 suspects arrived in the 9800 block of South Alameda Street, according to Los Angeles police. The group consisted of four female suspects and 13 male suspects aged 15 to 20, all wearing medical masks or cloth covering their faces.
The flash mob moved undisturbed through the Nike store as they cleared shelves full of shoes and ripped clothes off the shelves before putting them into large blue bags. Bystanders filmed the ordeal, some berating the thieves.
“I just think it’s sad,” resident Marc Mitchell said. “It’s sad it’s come to this.”
The suspects ran, one even appearing to jump, out of the store once they had filled their bags. Investigators said they jumped into a beige four-door Infiniti, a gray Kia SUV, a white Honda, a four-door Kia and a black Audi. LAPD officers said this is not the first time the store has been burglarized. One of the suspects wore a hoodie with a bonsai logo and the words “Ritual of the Spirit.”
Store employees believe the same group is responsible for the thefts. Frustrated by the tenth time this team allegedly robbed the same Nike store, residents stood guard outside the store.
“Look. Take a look. We’re finally doing something,” one resident said, pointing out the mall’s stores. “They just need to leave us alone. They need to go about their business. Don’t ever come back here. This community is already tough. They’re just making us look bad.”
Authorities asked anyone with information to contact Detective Juan Campos at (213) 486-6958 or by email at 31480@LAPD.Online.
Anonymous tips can be submitted to Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477 or through its website.
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