Rampant Flash Mob Robberies in L.A. Spark Concerns of Organized Crime Involvement

Police in Los Angeles believe that the group of about 50 people who swarmed a mall and stole high-end handbags and other items worth around $300,000 may have been acting under the orders of organized crime or gang members. The thieves, who wore ski masks, quickly ransacked the Nordstrom store at the Westfield Topanga Mall before fleeing with the stolen merchandise. Similar flash rob-style thefts have been occurring in California, with criminals quickly offloading the stolen goods either at specific locations or online. No arrests have been made in connection with the recent thefts.