Two men and two girls suspected of stealing approximately $5,000 worth of merchandise from the Warehouse Shoe Sale store in the Westlake district Friday were arrested.
Officers responded to the 1600 block of West Seventh Street, near Union Avenue, around 10:20 a.m. to a report of an assault with a deadly weapon, according to the Los Angeles Police Department Rampart Division.
Upon arrival, detectives spoke with store employees who told them the business was robbed and gave a description of the suspects.
Detectives described the suspects as two men and two girls. The relationship between all four suspects remains unknown.
According to police, the group stole merchandise from the store’s shelves, placed it in bags then exited the business moments before being confronted by store security. A female suspect then threatened the guard with pepper spray if stopped.
The group left the store and was located by officers hiding in a laundry room near Eighth Street and Union Avenue, about a block from the store, police said. The suspects were arrested without further incident.
Demaree Anderson and George Thomas were booked on suspicion of robbery. Both had a bail set for $50,000. The names of the girls arrested were not released because of their ages.
All merchandise was recovered and returned to the store, police said.
The robbery is under investigation by the LAPD Organized Retail Theft Task Force and Rampart Division detectives.
Anyone with information regarding the theft was urged to call the LAPD Organized Retail Crime Task Force at 818-374-9420. Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477. During non-business hours or weekends, calls should be made to 877-527-3247.