A mob of at least 20 thieves ransacked a Superior Grocers store in South Los Angeles early Sunday morning during an illegal street takeover – forcing terrified employees to flee upstairs and barricade themselves.
The break-in unfolded around 4:30 a.m. near Manchester Avenue and San Pedro Street, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. Officers responded to the chaos and took one person into custody.
Staff who were working inside the store at the time of the raid ran to the second floor and locked themselves in as the group poured through the doors and looted the business. No injuries were reported.
Police said they do not yet know how much merchandise was stolen, and it remains unclear when the store will reopen.
The raid is the latest in a string of brazen smash-and-grabs tied to illegal street takeovers that have plagued Los Angeles in recent weeks.
AutoZone locations in East LA, Watts and Downey were hit multiple times in a matter of days, and a Boyle Heights pharmacy was also targeted by masked thieves who cut through security bars during a similar gathering.
The crime spree has seen businesses across the Los Angeles area repeatedly targeted as huge crowds gather for illegal street takeovers in the middle of the night.
Earlier this month, an AutoZone in East Los Angeles was ransacked twice in less than 24 hours as street takeovers unfolded near Olympic and Atlantic boulevards.
