A Los Angeles 7-Eleven was ransacked by a large crowd Saturday morning, with people taking thousands of dollars worth of cigarettes, lottery tickets and other goods.
The incident occurred at around 1:40 a.m. local time, a Los Angeles Police Department watch commander told the Southern California news agency the City News Service. The suspects had fled the scene by the time police arrived.
Police also received reports that there may have been a street takeover, wherein people drove cars in donuts in intersections as others watched before the 7-Eleven in the San Pedro neighborhood was robbed.
There were about 30 to 50 people in the mob, and as much as $40,000 worth of assorted goods was stolen, including $1,000 worth of cigarettes and $20,000 worth of lottery tickets according to Los Angeles ABC affiliate KABC-TV.
A pair of cash registers containing about $5,000 total were also taken, according to Los Angeles The CW affiliate KTLA-TV.
The store, normally open constantly, is now closed until further notice.
Paramedics were also dispatched for a possible shooting, Los Angeles Fire Department spokesperson Margaret Stewart told CNS, but they were canceled by the LAPD.
The representative for the San Pedro area on the L.A. City Council is calling for more resources to be given to the police.
“This isn’t just about property damage or items stolen—it is also about a victim, an employee, fearing for their safety, and a neighborhood that is both in fear and now without a convenience store on the corner. It’s deeply disturbing to me that incidents like these are becoming more common. We need more resources in our 911 operations and increased staffing in the LAPD,” Los Angeles City Councilmember Tim McOsker, District 15 Democrat, said in a statement on social media.
Mr. McOsker also asked that anyone with information contact 800-222-TIPS.
• Brad Matthews can be reached at bmatthews@washingtontimes.com.
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