Smash-and-Grab: Masked Mob Target Two Jewelry Stores
July 16, 25
(IDEX Online) - A masked mob of up to 30 raiders targeted two jewelry stores in the same shopping center at the same time, according to reports in Los Angeles, California, USA.
They stormed Watch Palace and Amber Jewelers, both located at 18500 Pioneer Boulevard in Artesia, just before 6pm on 1 July, as the stores prepared to close for the day, and used hammers and crowbars to smash display cases.
The L.A. County Sheriff's Department say the perpetrators grabbed as much as they could in under 60 seconds, then fled in several cars. The total value of goods stolen and damage caused is estimated at over $1m.
Witnesses told local media that 20 to 30 masked people entered the two businesses at the same time.
During the smash and grabs three people could be seen on surveillance footage hiding on the floor near a counter as the store was ransacked.
No injuries were reported. No arrests have so far been made.
Surveillance TV footage shows mob smashing display cases.