Authorities stated on Sunday that six people—four adults and two juveniles—had been taken into custody in relation to a videotaped flash-mob-style heist that occurred late last week at the Westfield Topanga Mall in Canoga Park.
Authorities from the Los Angeles Police Department report that at approximately 5:15 p.m. on October 4, a group of twelve individuals attacked two merchants within the shopping center situated in the 21700 block of Victory Boulevard.
“The suspects, who were wearing masks and hooded sweatshirts, overwhelmed the security and knocked over numerous display shelves,” as per an LAPD news release.
According to authorities, the stuff valued at over $90,000 was successfully taken by the robbers.
After responding to the mall, the Organized Retail Crime Task Force of the LAPD took over the investigation. Investigators were able to identify prospective suspects in the incident and some of the getaway cars used very quickly by working with LAPD officers in the Topanga neighborhood.
That same evening, just after 9:30 p.m., authorities found and halted one of the cars that had been utilized to leave the site. Detectives said that after identifying the suspects as “being present and actively involved in the robbery,” all five of the occupants had been placed under arrest.
Two minors and three adults were taken into custody and charged with robbery.
Just before midnight, investigators with the Huntington Beach Police Department apprehended a female driver of a different car that had been utilized to escape the “flash robbery.”
According to the press release, “HBPD located and recovered stolen property inside the vehicle that ORCTF detectives verified as being taken during the Flash Robbery.”
After being detained, the woman was charged with criminal possession of stolen property.
The following four adult suspects were named:
- Joshua Jones, 22, of Los Angeles, is being held on a bond of more than $1 million.
- 19-year-old Amaya McDonald of Los Angeles is being jailed on a $15,000 bond.
- A young adult of 18 Justin Jones, a LA resident, is detained on a $150,000 bail.
- Rajene Robinson, 26, a resident of Los Angeles, is being held without bond.
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The other six suspects are still being sought after by the police.
Detectives in the Organized Retail Crime Section of the Commercial Crimes Division of the Los Angeles Police Department can be reached at 818-374-9437 if you have any information about this investigation.
Call the L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers Hotline at 800-222-8477 to leave anonymous tips, or submit them online at www.lacrimestoppers.org.
