Smart mobs turn violent as flash mobs rob store after store in the United States

“Flash mob” phenomena, which were heralded early in the day as a harbinger of a new civic spirit, have been subverted by some nefarious minds and are used for committing criminal acts. A “flash mob” is a group of people who do not know each other and who congregate at a specific location for a common activity. The act is coordinated via social media (Twitter or Facebook) and the participants do not usually communicate with each other before or after the act. A Germantown 7-11 convenience store was recently robbed in a short minute by a flash mob, while earlier this year a high end clothing store in the Dupont Circle area, Washington, DC (G-Star Rack) was also attacked using the same method. In each case the perpetrators got away before the police could respond to the attack. Several incidents related to the London riots also displayed signs of “flash robbing” facilitated, according to the Guardian, by the Blackberry Messenger:

One BBM broadcast sent on Sunday, which has been shown to the Guardian by multiple sources, calls on “everyone from all sides of London” to vandalise shops on Oxford street. It said: “Everyone from all sides of London meet up at the heart of London (central) OXFORD CIRCUS!!, Bare SHOPS are gonna get smashed up so come get some (free stuff!!!)

The National Federation of Retailers (NFR) believes that the phenomenon is widespread. According to this organization, 1 in 10 stores have been attacked in the recent months, half of which were hit multiple times. The NFR study polled 106 leading retailers in the United States. An ABC report about the spate of flash mob robberies added that

“These incidents can turn violent, they can injure customers, they can damage the store and then there’s the financial losses the retailers suffer,” said Joe La Rocca, spokesperson for the National Retail Federation. The NRF estimates that about one in ten stores has been the victim of a of a flash mob invastion and robbery. In most cases, by the time the police arrive, the mob is long gone, making for a long arduous process to identify and prosecute the culprits.

According to the “Multiple offender crime – 2011” Report by the National Federation of Retailers, some recent incidents include:

1. September 2010 – St. Paul, MN – BP Convenience Store: Approximately 20 juveniles shoplifted at a BP convenience store on Lexington Parkway and a cashier was punched in the face several times. Police used surveillance video from the store to charge several teenagers with offenses from first-degree aggravated robbery to third-degree riot and theft.
   February 22, 2011 – St. Paul, MN – Holiday Gas Station: About 30 to 40 young people dashed into a Holiday Gas Station on St. Paul’s West Side, snatched up dozens of juice bottles, candy, chips and other junk food, then took off without paying. Minutes later, two men were shot less than a mile away. According to police, 20 juveniles were ticketed for curfew violations.
2. March 4, 2011 – Chicago, IL – North Face and Filene’s Basement: At Filene?s, teens ran onto the sales floor, grabbed items, then ran out. At North Face, they entered screaming and yelling, knocking over displays and grabbing clothes worth close to $3,000. Suspects are teens 13-17 years old.
3. April 25, 2011 – Washington, DC – G-Star Raw: About 20 teenagers went into G-Star Raw store in the popular Dupont Circle neighborhood. The group leisurely went through clothing, as if they were shopping for their size before running out of the store with merchandise. In the short time they were in the store, the teenagers stole $20,000 worth of clothing.
4. June 9, 2011 – Chicago, IL – Retail and Residential Neighborhood: Four men were assaulted Saturday night within minutes of each other by large groups of youths in separate attacks in the Streeterville area, raising fears of flash mobs. The police department insisted they will hunt down every one of the thugs responsible for five weekend robberies in Streeterville.
   www.nrf.com 7
5. June 23, 2011 – Philadelphia, PA – Sears: According to police, 40 participants stormed a Sears store stealing thousands of dollars in sneakers, socks, watches and other items. Police apprehended 15 juveniles and one adult who were cited for retail theft and conspiracy.
6. July 6, 2011 – Philadelphia, PA – United Artists Theater (Retail Neighborhood): Police believe they averted an incident where 25 groups were expected to participate in a flash mob.
   July 6, 2011 – Milwaukee – BP Store: Several people rushed a BP Store stealing snacks and candy. One person was punched in the mouth.
7. July 25, 2011 – Washington, DC – Georgetown Store: A retail specialty store was targeted by a group of four (two men and two women) criminal offenders. While distracting store associates, offenders stole multiple items and fled the store quickly.
8. July 28, 2011 – Los Angeles – Jewelry Store: Three young men conducted a smash-and-grab in Los Angeles. They pepper-sprayed the owner, smashed display cases, and stole more than $7,000 in costume jewelry. The case is believed to be gang related.

7-11 Flash mob robbery, Convenience Store, Germantown, MD

G-Star Raw Clothing Store Robbery – Dupont Circle, Washington, DC