Parents Turn In Their Own Kids In 7-Eleven Flash Mob Robberies

LOS ANGELES, CA — Detectives in the Los Angeles Police Department have uncovered a valuable crime-fight tool: parents.

Several parents this month turned in their baby-faced scofflaws after the LAPD released dozens of photos and video of teenage mobs ransacking convenience stores across the city.

At this week's LAPD Commission meeting, Assistant Chief Blake Chow said several parents marched their teens into police stations after police publicized photos of the suspect during the flash robberies. The children were booked on suspicion of robbery, said Chow.

The chaotic and sometimes violent robberies have been plaguing the region over the last month, with more than a dozen of 7-Eleven stores ransacked by youths, causing thousands of dollars in losses and damage in just minutes and traumatizing store employees.

The LAPD beefed up patrols of 7-Eleven stores to deter future incidents, and the department’s Commercial Crimes Division Organized Retail Crime Task Force is working with Rampart, Wilshire, Hollywood, and West LA Divisions to identify the suspects involved in the "flash robberies."

The robberies have involved twenty to forty suspects who have fled on bicycles. The bicycle crew began targeting 7-Eleven stores on July 12, according to the LAP. Thirteen of the fourteen incidents have occurred on Friday evenings.

The locations and dates of the robberies are:
1) 1234 Wilshire Blvd, Friday July 12, 2024 at 7:50 p.m.
2) 610 S. Rampart Blvd, Friday July 19, 2024 at 6:22 p.m.
3) 3100 Beverly Blvd, Friday July 19, 2024 at 6:30 p.m.
4) 1770 N. Highland Ave, Friday July 19, 2024 at 7:00 p.m.
5) 6077 W. 3rd St, Friday July 19, 2024 at 7:45 p.m.
6) 1234 Wilshire Blvd, Monday August 2, 2024 at 6:28 p.m.
7) 5600 San Vicente Blvd, Friday August 9, 2024 at 6:50 p.m.
8) 8500 W Olympic Blvd, Friday August 9, 2024 at 7:50 p.m.
9) 3100 Beverly Blvd, Friday August 16, 2024 at 6:40 p.m.
10) 1770 N Highland Ave, Friday August 16, 2024 at 7:40 p.m.
11) 7040 W Sunset Blvd, Friday August 16, 2024 AT 8:00 p.m.
12) 5700 Santa Monica Blvd, Friday August 16, 2024 at 8:15 p.m.
13) 1451 S La Cienega Blvd, Friday September 20,2024
14) 8500 Olympic Blvd, Friday September 20, 2024 at 7:15 p.m.

"The suspects enter the stores in the evening hours, remove merchandise, damage property, and flee without paying," the LAPD announced in a written statement. "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."

The investigations are ongoing and anyone with information regarding these types of incidents are urged to contact 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (1-877-527-3247). Anyone wishing to remain anonymous can call the L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477) or go to www.lacrimestoppers.org.