Authorities Wednesday were trying to figure out how an anticipated flash mob at the Burbank Empire Center’s Krispy Kreme doughnut store instead occurred at the Krispy Kreme outlet at the Puente Hills Mall in Industry.
Three people among the estimated 1,500 present were arrested, one for suspicion carrying a concealed knife, and two for outstanding warrants, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Sgt. David Cortinas said.
There were also 48 citations Tuesday night issued among the 750 vehicles at the gathering, Cortinas said.
The group began gathering at the mall around 9 p.m. and had dispersed by 10:30 p.m., Cortinas said.
No injuries or property damage were reported, Cortinas said.
Signs were posted at the Burbank Krispy Kreme store announcing it would close at 4 p.m. The parking lots near the store were closed.
The event was billed on social media as a “Krispy Kreme Tuesdays” gathering of car enthusiasts displaying their sometimes-modified vehicles. A posting on Facebook by organizers said the 9 p.m. gathering was not a “flash mob car show.”
“We do not condone public damages and/or road blocking at Krispy Kreme/Empire Center,” according to the post.
Krispy Kreme officials issued a statement insisting that it had no connection with the event or the organizers.
“The Krispy Kreme name has been used without our approval or corporate consent,” according to the company. “While we support the right to gather, we believe it should be done so in accordance with the laws that protect public safety and private property rights.”
The owners of the Burbank Empire Center said participants in the event in the past have shown they are “unable to respect private property and behave in an orderly manner.”
The owners said that led them to work closely with Burbank police to “control access and egress into our lot and to limit the number of available parking spaces in an effort to protect our tenants and customers.”
A gathering at the Burbank Empire Center on Aug. 13, 2013, drew as many as 3,500 people and 1,100 cars. While no arrests were made, officers issued more than 100 citations for motor vehicle code and moving violations, police said.
—City News Service