Rick Caruso is tired of the rash of retail theft hitting local businesses.
The developer, and former Los Angeles mayoral candidate, made an appeal on social media for the public to pressure politicians do something about the increasing string of theft.
That would include a recent incident at Caruso’s Americana at Brand in Glendale, Calif. The outdoor shopping center saw a flash mob of about 30 people take roughly $300,000 in merchandise at the mall’s Yves Saint Laurent last week.
Caruso is offering a $50,000 reward for information on the thieves.
“The time has come to demand that our elected officials change the laws to hold criminals accountable and start enforcing the laws in a fair and equitable manner,” Caruso said on social media. “Retail businesses and small and large shopping areas are experiencing an alarming increase in ‘smash-and-grab’ robberies.”
Caruso said he’s spoken with small business owners who “feel defeated by the lack of accountability for criminals.”
“We must elevate their voices, bringing Angelenos together to find a new approach so merchants and shoppers alike are fully protected, criminals are held accountable and our economy thrives,” Caruso said.
Weekend Mayhem
A day after Caruso delivered his call to action, the Nordstrom at Westfield Topanga fell victim to a flash mob of at least 30 robbers on Saturday.
The thieves took off with apparel, handbags and other items the Los Angeles Police Department said could be resold.
On Sunday, thieves were caught on camera taking shoes and apparel from Nike’s store in East. L.A.
Law enforcement in June broke up an organized crime ring targeting the Whittier Boulevard store.
The flash mob robberies continued this week with a group of 11 suspects robbing Australian luxury denim brand Ksubi’s store on La Brea Boulevard Tuesday night.
LAPD said retail theft so far this year in the city of Los Angeles, as of mid-July, was up 14.2% compared to the same period in 2022.
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