Shocking moment giant flash mob ransacks and loots 7-Eleven store in LA
A giant flash mob descended upon a 7-Eleven following a street takeover at an intersection earlier this week – throwing items over the counter and looting as much as they could.
The gang of people ransacked the store while shouting, completely destroying the COVID-19 safety screen that had been set up to grab as much as they could in Los Angeles, California.
A group entered the convenience store near Figueroa Street and El Segundo Boulevard, with surveillance footage showing the looters shouting at each other, on August 15.
They can be seen running across the store and grabbing drinks, cigarettes, lottery tickets, bags of chips and other items.
According to the Los Angeles Police Department the suspects also started throwing items at them, with around 100 people involved in the chaos.
One store employee was left fearing for his life after the incident, with a suspect wearing a Colorado Rockies hate throwing food at one employee.
A staff member cowered behind the till as more than 100 people descended on the store, with one man throwing what appeared to be cigarettes to others
Police say that the looters had previously blocked the road outside of the 7-Eleven with their cars before doing ‘donuts’
LAPD Det. Ryan Moreno said that there was ‘no resistance’ and ‘no fight put up’ by the staff members working that day.
He added: ‘We really want to prevent this from becoming a new trend.’
Those involved face charges of vandalism, grand theft and looting when they are apprehended by authorities.
Before the store incident, the crowd held a street takeover nearby and blocked traffic with their vehicles and performed ‘donuts.’
A spokesman for the force added: ‘On August 15, 2022, around 12:40 a.m., a street takeover initiated at the intersection of Figueroa Street and El Segundo Boulevard.
‘Motorists flooded the intersection and blocked traffic with their vehicles from all directions to create a “pit” in the middle of the intersection.
‘During the incident, spectators exited their vehicles and watched as motorists recklessly drove in a maneuver known as “doing donuts.”
‘The maneuver involves purposely losing tire traction while driving in a circular motion and continuing to accelerate. This results in a series of skid marks left on the pavement.
The gang of people were seen grabbing as much as they could before fleeing, with some putting their hoods up to hide their identities
The protective COVID-19 screen was ripped down by the flash mob, who could be seen looting everything they could get theirs hands on
‘The spectators then formed a ‘flash mob’ of looters and rushed a nearby 7-Eleven located at the northwest corner of Figueroa Street and El Segundo Boulevard.
‘Video surveillance from the store showed the looters fanning out across the store and grabbing all the snacks, drinks, cigarettes, lotto tickets, and other merchandise.
‘Looters also vandalized the store and threw merchandise at employees.
‘The looters then exited the store to the surrounding parking lots and streets, and quickly dispersed before police arrived.
‘The term “flash mob” was first used to describe a large public gathering at which people perform an unusual or seemingly random act and then disperse, typically organized by means of the internet or social media.
‘In the latest cases, however, ‘flash mobs’ have turned from fun spontaneous events to opportunistic criminal occurrences.
‘Officers obtained surveillance video of the looters to identify and the arrest the individuals involved.’
Anyone with information about this traffic collision is asked to contact South Traffic Division Detectives at 323-421-2500 or email [email protected].
During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (877-527-3247). Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call CrimeStoppers at 800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477).
Tipsters may also contact CrimeStoppers by texting to phone number 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S on most keypads) with a cell phone. All text messages should begin with the letters ‘LAPD.’
Tipsters may also go to LAPDOnline.org, click on ‘webtips’ and follow the prompts.
