A search is currently underway for over two dozen individuals who orchestrated a mob-style smash-and-grab robbery at Westfield Topanga Mall in Canoga Park. Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón has made it clear that the culprits will face consequences for their actions.
The incident took place on Saturday afternoon inside the Nordstrom store at the mall, involving approximately 30 individuals. The thieves managed to steal merchandise worth around $300,000. This incident comes shortly after a similar heist at an Yves Saint Laurent store in the Americana at Brand mall in Glendale, where the estimated loss was also $300,000.
There have been concerns raised by critics, including Rick Caruso, the owner of Americana at Brand and former L.A. mayoral candidate, about whether law enforcement and the justice system are doing enough to hold the offenders accountable. Caruso believes that recent changes in state law have reduced the fear of punishment and emboldened criminals.
Caruso stated, “The time has come to demand that our elected officials change the laws to hold criminals accountable and start enforcing the laws in a fair and equitable manner. Retail businesses and shopping areas, both small and large, are witnessing a concerning rise in ‘smash and grab’ robberies. Small business owners have expressed their discouragement due to the lack of accountability for these criminals.”
The Los Angeles District Attorney, George Gascón, emphasized his office’s aggressive approach to prosecuting mob-style robberies. These cases are treated as organized crime felonies, not simple misdemeanors.
Gascón stated, “A specialized team has been assigned to work on the Glendale case and other similar cases and will continue to do so. We view these incidents as organized crime, and we will utilize every available tool within the law to ensure that these individuals face consequences. Such behavior is unacceptable in a civilized society.”
Gascón also mentioned that there are people within the community who can identify the robbers and some may even be purchasing stolen merchandise from such heists. These individuals should also be held accountable.
Although his department is not directly involved in the Glendale or Canoga Park cases, Sheriff Robert Luna assured reporters that the sheriff’s department will cooperate with other law enforcement agencies.
Luna stated, “We will communicate, investigate, and provide assistance in any way possible. Once we gather sufficient evidence to make arrests, we will take the culprits into custody and proceed accordingly.”
The Nordstrom robbery occurred at around 4 p.m. on Saturday at the store located at 21725 Victory Blvd., east of Topanga Canyon Boulevard, according to Pedro Muniz, a spokesperson for the Los Angeles Police Department. A video posted on Twitter captured the incident, showing masked individuals smashing displays, grabbing clothing and bags, and fleeing the store.
Police confirmed that approximately 30 people were involved in the robbery.
Although the mall was not evacuated, a security guard at the store’s entrance who was sprayed with bear spray required medical assistance.
Mayor Karen Bass issued a statement condemning the crime, stating, “What happened today at the Nordstrom in the Topanga Mall is absolutely unacceptable. Those responsible for this incident, as well as similar incidents in neighboring areas, must be held accountable. The Los Angeles Police Department will continue its efforts to not only identify the culprits but also prevent future attacks on retailers.”
The LAPD urges anyone with information related to the robberies to contact Detective Santander at 818-374-9420 or, during off-hours, at 877-LAPD-24-7 (527-3247). Information can also be provided via [email protected], or anonymously through CrimeStoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477) or lacrimestoppers.org.
The Yves Saint Laurent robbery in Glendale occurred on August 8th around 4:50 p.m. Video footage of that incident was widely circulated.
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