Posted on 03/04/2011 5:27:39 AM PST by Altura Ct.
Stores on the Mag Mile are on alert after several thefts involving flash mobs. In each case, a group of teens create a disturbance, steal items and then run from the stores.
CBS 2′s Suzanne Le Mignot reports in the past several weeks, there have been at least three incidents on Michigan Avenue. Sources tell CBS 2 the teens involved are between 17 and 13 years old.
Apparently they’ve been Tweeting each other. They pick a spot to meet and then go as groups to carry out their crimes. It’s all part of a growing phenomenon.
You can see mob robbery videos on YouTube. In one tape, 50 teens are seen entering a St. Paul, Minnesota convenience store. Within minutes they take whatever they want and leave. The same thing has been happening in Chicago along the Magnificent Mile. Sources said Filene’s Basement, The North Face store and Express have all been recent targets by these flash mobs.
“Just see kids, random kids running out of stores,” said witness Miralem Mahmatovic.
Mahmatovic said it’s been obvious the teens seen running, have had merchandise with them. He said he has seen a teen theft mob in action. “We had a cop from Express chase down a kid here once, just chased her, caught her down at the corner, so we’ve seen it a couple of times.”
At Express, sources said 11 teens stormed through the doors knocking over merchandise and alarming customers. Security tried to lock the doors and when police caught the teens, they also had merchandise with them from other stores.
Greater North Michigan Avenue Association President and CEO John Chikow said he organized a meeting Tuesday with law enforcement and representatives from about 70 stores along the Mag Mile. “The police gave a briefing as to what their current activities are. I think there’s a stronger commitment on the part of the businesses to call when there are problems because they’re seeing the police are responding very quickly,” Chikow said.
At Filene’s, teens ran onto the sales floor, grabbed items then ran out. At The North Face, they entered screaming and yelling, knocking over displays and grabbing clothes worth close to $3,000.
“We’re not gonna tolerate this in the district. We’re just not gonna tolerate it,” Chikow said.
Police have increased patrols and are also focusing in on areas identified as teen meeting points. The moment a large group is seen gathering in a known area, the teens are told they will be arrested for loitering and will be arrested if they don’t leave immediately.
The teens involved in the recent theft mob incidents have been charged with retail theft and reckless conduct. The North Face, Filene’s and Express, all had no comment.
Welcome to America 2011
NEW & Improved 3rd World Version
I don’t care if they are teens, they are committing looting, and police should have orders to “Shoot To Kill.”
That will put an end to this, right away.
They're juveniles, give them the benefit of say stun guns and tazers--just in case they can turn their sorry lives around. Besides, they are so entertaining in the throes of voltage at amperage.
Teacher in Miami
I am an elementary teacher and I have been telling people for a while now that kids have learned to collude and conspire as early as second grade. I had a class of students tell me that they were not going to do the assignments I gave them because they did not have to do it and that I could not give them “all” a failing grade, so they all conspired to not do the work. Sad part is that I was told by my administrators, who did not believe me when I mentioned this, that I could not fail all of them, so I have to cave in to the mob of second graders or lose my job. These mobs stealing grades and learning to use technology to collude and plot against teachers are the daily reality we deal with, and parents don’t care as long as little Bobby or Susie is getting a passing grade.
March 3, 2011 at 3:19 pm | Reply | Report comment
Second grade...Freaking SECOND grade-!!!
If you didn't fear for the future, start now.
They learn from their leader Obama.
I experienced the Cincinnati riots, the most recent racial riot in America’s history.
You are correct about the situation just needing a spark, but instead of kindling I believe it’s much more explosive.
Obama set unrealistic expectations. People really thought their lives would get better. Instead, the economy got worse and now many of their programs may be cut off for austerity reasons.
They will feel betrayed and angry and will take what they perceive to be their slice of pie forcibly though many of these same folks have been living off pie their entire lives.
I’m glad I live in the country and not in the city...
By April 2009, DH had acquired a CCW license and a Walther p22 .
By June 2010, I had my CCW, and we had purchased a 38 snub nose, a Colt 45, two Ruger LCPs (those are our CCW firearms-we just put laser lights on them last night :-) ), a Henry rifle, and several thousand rounds of ammo.
We intend to get an AR 15 and a shotgun, ASAP.
For Valentine's Day, I received a CCW purse-that's a purse with a side compartment into which you slide a hand gun. It's real red leather-top that for a romantic gesture. :-)
No prizes for guessing what triggered this frenzy of "stockpiling" weapons.:-(
It wasn't even so much BHO and what he said/did, as what his followers (or perhaps worshipers would be the more apt term) have said, done, and stated they intend to do).
We live in a small town of 20,000, in a mostly rural county, in a largely rural, low population state (MO).
We aren't as well off as someone living in the country, like you, but we're a helluva lot better off than if we were still living in KC, Omaha, or Miami-never mind a major city in a blue state.
I anticipate a bloodbath in the major blue state (and some red state) cities some time between summer 2011-winter 2012. Whether the bloodbath will be at the hands of roving Entitlement Thugs or will be committed by government forces is the only thing I wonder about.But I do agree something is going to trigger major trouble : Complete economic collapse? BHO not getting reelected? BHO calling off elections and declaring martial law? Some racial incident sparking protests that turn into a riot? Something's coming....
I agree with you. This whole thing is simmering, just below view. I also think that both sides are simmering...I cannot recall that at any time before to this degree in my lifetime.
I had this feeling from the moment that bozo was elected....something is going to blow, and right soon.
In November, 2008, I owned an 870, and a Ruger 10/22. In March, 2010, I added a Ruger SR9 to the pile. In September, 2010, I got my CCW, and carry said Ruger darn near everywhere I go. In October, 2010, I added a Ruger 22/45 MK3 to the pile, and in January, 2011, another Ruger 10-22. Add to this the requisite several thousand rounds of ammo...equally distributed among the various calibers represented. Next, I am working on DW CCW...and then a .380 will be added to the pile.
Something wicked this way comes.....i agree
That's what strikes me, too...When I first started lurking at FR in December 1999, WE were pissed off, as were the folks at other conservative or libertarian sites...But little or no anger over political issues at the "hobby" or "social" sites I hang out at, where most of the folks identified as liberal or moderate ( and where there was then rarely any political talk). Today at those same sites, there's so much anger at Republicans and conservatives-and they're mad at Republicans and "the government" over the exact same things for which we are mad at Democrats , liberals, and "the government" . BOTH sides are equally enraged and for the same reasons, they just differ on who's to blame. And of course it's not just liberal/conservative-I'm seeing a lot more racial rage , too, even though it's often politicized.
There will be some not so happy teens if they start that.
i was lurking in 1999, too....funny
the anger was palpable back then, as now, but it is certainly distributed wider, these days.
I know alot of people that are fully awake these days, and maybe were not awake, even a presidential election ago....it is heartening to see resurgence in the history of our country, etc.
Fight the good fight, as my grandpa was fond of saying.
There’s your argument in favor of 30+ round magazines.
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