Teen Bike Crews Ransack 7-Eleven Stores In String Of Flash-Mob Robberies: LAPD

LOS ANGELES, CA — Police are ramping up patrols across Los Angeles following a string of flash-mob robberies at over a dozen 7-Eleven stores involving up to 40 teens or young men who fled on bicycles, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.

The robberies, involving a bicycle crew of between 20 and 40 people, began on July 12. They've since committed 13 other robberies — almost all on Friday nights — in the Rampart, Hollywood, Wilshire and West LA LAPD divisions, police said.

The suspects enter the stores in evenings, remove merchandise, damage property and flee without paying. The incidents have been captured on surveillance video, and the LAPD posted dozens of stills from the footage on its website.

"In several incidents, the witnesses were physically pushed by the suspects during the criminal take-over of the stores, with no regard for others safety. Although there are no reported physical injuries, several witnesses continue to fear for their safety after such aggressive and callous criminal behavior," police said.

The robberies occurred at the following locations and times:

• 1234 Wilshire Blvd. — 7:50 p.m. July 12
• 610 S. Rampart Blvd. — 6:22 p.m. July 19
• 3100 Beverly Blvd. — 6:30 p.m. July 19
• 1770 N. Highland Ave. — 7 p.m. July 19
• 6077 W. 3rd St. — 7:45 p.m. July 19
• 1234 Wilshire Blvd. — 6:28 p.m. Aug. 2
• 5600 San Vicente Blvd. — 6:50 p.m. Aug. 9
• 8500 W. Olympic Blvd. — 7:50 p.m. Aug. 9
• 3100 Beverly Blvd. — 6:40 p.m. Aug. 16
• 1770 N. Highland Ave. — 7:40 p.m. Aug. 16
• 7040 W. Sunset Blvd. — 8 p.m. Aug. 16
• 5700 Santa Monica Blvd. — 8:15 p.m. Aug. 16
• 1451 S. La Cienega Blvd. — Sept. 20
• 8500 Olympic Blvd. — 7:15 p.m. Sept. 20