Police, retailers struggle to respond to smash-and-grab ‘flash mob’ robberies
LA TimesA security guard patrols the entrance of a Nordstrom store at the Grove shopping center in L.A.’s Fairfax district on Tuesday. On Wednesday night, a security guard was attacked with bear spray as several people entered the Nordstrom store at the Westfield Topanga & the Village shopping center in Canoga Park, grabbed merchandise and ran out, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. The thefts came two days after an organized group smashed a window at a Nordstrom at the Grove shopping center and stole thousands of dollars’ worth of merchandise, police said. San Francisco police said additional officers would be placed in exclusive shopping areas to prevent mobs from overwhelming store security, as happened last week. In a statement, the company said, “Given recent incidents at two of our stores and incidents across the industry, we’re heightening our in-store security presence and implementing additional protective measures to keep everyone safe.” At an outdoor kiosk selling apparel, an employee named Ikar, who asked that his last name not be published, said he trusted the mall’s security and was more wary of unruly shoppers.