Los Angeles Police Intensify Hunt for Flash Mob Suspects in Series of 7-Eleven Thefts

The Los Angeles Police Department is currently pursuing a group of flash mob suspects who have been targeting several 7-Eleven locations across the city, according to LAPD’s official newsroom. Beginning on July 12, 2024, these incidents have mainly occurred on Friday evenings, with groups ranging from twenty to forty individuals, notably using bicycles as their means of escape.

These orchestrated thefts have been reported at 7-Eleven stores situated within a close range of each other, spreading across the Rampart, Hollywood, Wilshire, and West LA Divisions. As reported by the LAPD, thirteen out of the fourteen recorded cases took place on Fridays, with one anomaly occurring on a Monday. The suspects are described as being youthful males, with a variety of ethnicities and physical appearances.

The mode of operation for these crimes involves the suspects storming into the convenience stores during the evening, swiftly grabbing goods, causing property damage, and then fleeing without payment. Various witnesses have been physically shoved during these take-overs, which have been captured on the stores' security surveillance. Although no severe physical injuries have been reported, there are many who continue to harbor fear for their safety after being exposed to such aggressive and indifferent criminal behavior.

Extra patrols have been assigned to 7-Eleven locations in the hopes of preventing further incidents, while the LAPD's Organized Retail Crime Task Force is working closely with the affected divisions. The LAPD has made a public call for anyone with information on these flash robberies to come forward, providing a dedicated hotline at 1-877-LAPD-24-7, and options for anonymous tips through L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers or the "P-3 Tips" mobile app. Potential witnesses with photos or videos related to the crimes are encouraged to send them to [email protected].

To capture these suspects, the LAPD has been actively sharing the dates and locations of the crimes, urging the community to aid in the identification and arrest of the individuals responsible. The targeted addresses span from 1234 Wilshire Blvd, where the first incident was reported, to 8500 Olympic Blvd, which experienced the most recent robbery on September 20, 2024.