California experienced a series of large-scale “flash mob robberies” last year, the brazenness of which was astounding. On July 30th (Tuesday), California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced that eight robbery suspects have been sentenced, and law enforcement officials are continuing to pursue more suspects in connection with these crimes.
According to Bonta, between May 11th and August 23rd last year, nine defendants carried out a series of smash-and-grab robberies, thefts, and nighttime burglaries in Los Angeles County, Orange County, and Riverside County, involving a total amount exceeding $1.7 million.
The targeted businesses included high-end stores such as Nordstrom, Magnolia Park, luxury brands like YSL, Louis Vuitton, Burberry, and Gucci.
“Eight of the suspects involved in the crimes were sentenced today. Depending on the severity of their actions, they were each sentenced to between 1 and 10 years in prison,” Bonta stated. The Los Angeles County Superior Court had filed 25 felony charges against the nine defendants, with one suspect having already pleaded guilty, and the specific sentence for this individual is expected to be announced next year.
He pointed out that the series of robberies last year were not merely simple shoplifting crimes but organized, dangerous criminal schemes. The eight individuals who were sentenced participated in multiple incidents, including the well-known Nordstrom robbery.
On August 12th last year, about 50 masked attackers stormed into the Nordstrom store at Westfield Topanga shopping center in Southern California, ransacking high-end clothing, handbags, and accessories worth about $300,000.
Just a week before this large-scale robbery on August 8th, the Yves Saint Laurent store at Americana at Brand in Glendale was also looted: at least 30 robbers rushed into the store, grabbed handbags, clothing worth about $300,000, and fled the scene immediately, escaping in several waiting vehicles.
The audacity of these large-scale criminal gangs conducting crimes in broad daylight left many citizens in shock. Deputy Chief Alan Hamilton of the Los Angeles Police Department stated on Tuesday, “By acknowledging the guilt and sentencing these criminals to prison, we are sending a clear message that the community will not tolerate organized retail crimes.”
He noted that the investigation into the case is ongoing, with some suspects still at large. “We suspect that some of them were involved in other smash-and-grab robberies, flash mob robberies, and nighttime burglaries. More suspects will be arrested, and more individuals will be incarcerated.”
Bonta mentioned that the victimized businesses were all high-end luxury stores selling clothing, handbags, and other items. The criminals would sell the stolen goods on social media platforms like Instagram to make a profit. Law enforcement officers are actively identifying more suspects.
Hamilton added, “We will work closely and effectively with all our partners, utilizing the best technology available to bring these suspects to justice.”
The police also warned the public that many of these “flash mob robberies” are organized online, and many people do not realize that by participating in these crimes initiated online, even if they did not directly commit the crime, they are still criminally liable.
Details of the sentences for the eight criminals are as follows: Jordan Harris was sentenced to 10 years and 4 months for admitting to carjacking and major theft from Nordstrom and YSL stores; Kip Henry, who admitted to robbing Nordstrom and stealing from a Louis Vuitton store, was sentenced to 7 years and 4 months; Devon Perry was sentenced to 5 years and 4 months for admitting to two major thefts.
Ziona Famoso, who admitted to a major robbery and two store thefts, was sentenced to 4 years and 4 months; Alana Hart, who admitted to using force in a Burberry store in Riverside, was sentenced to 4 years; Travelle Hamblet admitted to robbing Nordstrom and was sentenced to 4 years; Jason Smith admitted to carjacking and was sentenced to 3 years; Briana Jimenez, who admitted to robbery, was sentenced to one year in jail and felony probation.
Many of the sentenced criminals were repeat offenders. After the series of crimes that occurred repeatedly, many people attribute them to existing lenient policies towards criminals, such as categorizing serious crimes like theft and shoplifting as misdemeanors under Proposition 47.
In the upcoming November election, Proposition 36, aimed at amending Proposition 47, will be on the ballot. The main purpose of this proposition is to charge certain drug and theft crimes as felonies and increase penalties.