Posted on 12/31/2021 5:24:51 AM PST by blam
A tidal wave of “smash-and-grab” robberies are plaguing upscale stores in major US cities, with thieves making off with millions of dollars. The latest incident occurred at a Palm Beach boutique shop that was hit twice in two weeks.
According to local news CBS 12, Only Authentics, a high-end designer bag shop, was targeted by thieves, the first on Dec. 14 and the second on Christmas Eve. Approximately $1.5 million of Hermes, Chanel, Kelly and, and Birkin handbags were stolen.
Several bags are worth more than six figures each, store owner Virgil Rogers said.
“It’s almost like we’re on the wild, wild west here,” he told CBS12 News reporter Andrew Lofholm.
This is exclusive video obtained by @CBS12 where you can see criminal’s face during the Xmas Eve break-in. pic.twitter.com/q8Tui1SFxZ
(Go to site to see video)
— Andrew Lofholm (@AndrewLofholm) December 28, 2021
After the first break-in, Rogers said he had a special film placed on all storefront windows, making it harder to break through.
“We as citizens living on Palm Beach Island especially, we almost live in a bubble, we do, it’s very sad and now it’s come to the homefront and your own home, what’s going on elsewhere,” Rogers said.
These incidents, called smash and grabs, are well organized and allegedly conducted by criminal gangs who take the loot and resell it online. Luxury retailers from multiple California cities, including San Francisco and Los Angeles, to Palm Beach, have been ideal targets for robberies because of high merchandise items.
Major retailers are fed up with the rash of incidents. They have penned a letter to Congress urging lawmakers to pass legislation that would make it harder for thieves to resell stolen goods on online marketplaces that do very little to verify the identity of sellers.
“As millions of Americans have undoubtedly seen on the news in recent weeks and months, retail establishments of all kinds have seen a significant uptick in organized crime in communities across the nation,” the letter said.
Over a ten-day period in November, smash and grab robberies totaled a whopping $350 million in losses for retailers in Los Angeles.
Smash and grabs have also moved from cities to suburbs, and some are worried that criminal gangs could soon target upscale homes.
Nice insurance claim.
The IRS will be looking for them to file on their loot. Criminals always pay their fair share of income tax, you know.
With all their wealth, why are there no smash and grab gangs in Saudi Arabia ? Just curious.
feeding off of their supporters, nice! enjoy
“Several bags are worth more than six figures “
Over $100,000 for a handbag?
Like PT Barnum said, there’s a sucker born every minute.
There’s a mall in my town that’s quite “upscale”. Neiman Marcus,Gucci,Tiffany’s,Louis Vitton,etc. I go there regularly in bad weather because it’s a great place to walk.Recently there have been cops stationed there...real cops. They’re very visible. I assume they’re preparing for trouble.
Major retailers are fed up with the rash of incidents. They have penned a letter to Congress urging lawmakers to pass legislation that would make it harder for thieves to resell stolen goods on online marketplaces that do very little to verify the identity of sellers.
—
They are so fed up with the competition that they didn’t bother penning letters to their mayors, chief of police, state legislators, city counsel members to stop the looting. No, no. It only the competition they are concerned about.
Ordinary customers are already afraid to come to their store ; pretty soon the only customers the retailers will have are the looters - then, they will vie for the easiest-to-loot store to please them.
I have no sympathy. They voted for these idiots and the idea of releasing criminals. What did you THINK would happen? I hope they ruin you all and you have to live like I do.
Vote for Democrats and this is what you get.
I’m sorry, there isn’t a handbag out there worth 6 figures unless it’s made out of pure gold. And they call Trump supporters stupid.
I predict that regardless of DeSantis being the current governor, that FL will go the way of Cali eventually. It’s been becoming a mini Cali for a long time. A lot of actors have homes there. Universal Studios and Disney are there. Good weather year round. Look how close FL was to getting a gay commie freak.
Ron DeSantis (R)
49.6
4,076,186
Andrew Gillum (D)
49.2
4,043,723
How many old conservatives have died since and how many dem Yankees have moved there since? 10 years, 20 years. It will happen.
“Hollywood Elites Panic-Buy Armored-Cars And Safe-Rooms Amid Rising Violent Crime”
The wealthy elites choose solutions to protect themselves from the consequences the policies they advocated and implemented. Those solutions benefit them only. The rest of us do not matter.
Ironically higher fences around their estates, safe rooms, and armored cars are simply band aids when a civilization is collapsing. Ultimately the mob storms the garrison and hangs the owner.
Good! Eat the Rich!
Exactly.
These are coordinated attacks most likely using some social media, FBI should be able to track these communications.
Limousine liberals have always felt insulated from this kind of crap behind their gated communities and the like. But when the thieves they've enabled have run out of upscale shops to target, they just might be coming for upscale homes.
If they wanted to, but they are too busy tracking down everyone who was anywhere near the DC area on January 6th or who shows up to school board meetings to object to the propaganda being taught.
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