The capitalization of holidays can drive people to do some risky things. A couple of years ago, robbing hair supply stores of hair bundles was the trend and translated into big bucks for the looters that got away. Now, high-end chains are the target.
The luxury department store has been enduring a series of robberies up and down the California coast. And these aren’t ordinary burglaries. San Francisco’s Union Square was the first to get hit. Over 10 stores, including Louis Vuitton, had windows smashed in before the burglars grabbed handfuls of handbags, jewelry, shoes, and more. The burglars seized more than $1 million in inventory from the stores. One person was caught outside of the store by police.
On Nov. 20, a Bay Area Nordstrom in Walnut Creek, outside of San Francisco, was infiltrated by 80 people who ransacked the department store, taking away several items in large luggage and bags. One security officer was pepper-sprayed and two employees received injuries. A witness said that the thieves arrived in about 25 cars, blocking the entrance of the store. The incident has become known as the “flash mob robbery” due to its large inclusion of people in the planned hit.
The robberies didn’t stop there. The following day, Sam’s Jewelers at a Hayward, CA mall was burglarized by a group of thieves carrying hammers. On Nov. 23, about 20 people broke into the Nordstrom at the Grove in Los Angeles and stole $5,000 worth of inventory. Three people were arrested in the incident, while only a few pieces of merchandise were recovered. A day before Thanksgiving, a smash-and-grab robbery occurred at a Nordstrom in the Westfield Topanga mall, just northwest of Los Angeles. Five burglars got away with a multitude of expensive merchandise in a newer model gray Ford Mustang. Pharmacy stores are also being targeted, with burglars going after the cash registers.
As holiday shopping starts to ramp up, authorities warn that people should be aware of their surroundings as the number of “follow home” robberies have also increased, with predators targeting average customers after shopping. A spokesperson for NPR suggested that if a person feels like they are being followed that they should drive to the nearest police station instead of home. Carrying self-defense items, such as pepper-spray, could be helpful, too. Another option is to shop online, that way people can avoid huge crowds.
What does the MouthSoap recommend? Well, unless you have small children who wouldn’t understand, how about celebrating life this holiday season by sharing an experience with family and friends. By doing this, it’s less about commerce and more about memories.
