A mob of up to 50 masked and hoodie-wearing people smashed displays and grabbed merchandise at the Canoga Park Nordstrom store Saturday.
The mass shoplifting occurred just after 4 p.m. at the store at 21725 Victory Blvd., east of Topanga Canyon Boulevard in the Westfield Topanga Mall, said Los Angeles Police Department spokesman Pedro Muniz.
Cell phone video posted on X showed male and female suspects grabbing clothing and bags and running from the store.
There were 30 to 50 people, involved, Muniz said.
The mall was not evacuated, he said. An ambulance was summoned to the store to treat a male who was sprayed with bear spray.
“What happened today at the Nordstrom in the Topanga Mall is absolutely unacceptable,” said Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass. “Those who committed these acts and acts like it in neighboring areas must be held accountable.
“The Los Angeles Police Department will continue to work to not only find those responsible for this incident but to prevent these attacks on retailers from happening in the future,” she said.
The heist was similar to what Glendale police described as a “flash mob” that struck the Yves Saint Laurent store at the Americana at Brand mall in Glendale about 4:50 p.m. Tuesday.
“The suspects stole clothing and other merchandise before fleeing on foot and leaving the location in numerous vehicles,” Glendale Police Department Sgt. Victor Jackson said. “While still under investigation, the estimated loss is approximately $300,000.
“These `flash mob’ burglaries involve a large, coordinated group of individuals simultaneously rushing into the store, overwhelming staff and taking it over,” Jackson added. “The suspects grab as much merchandise as possible before fleeing in multiple vehicles.”
That crime was also captured on video, which was widely circulated.