Robberies in luxury stores: 14 arrested in Los Angeles

Nordstrom Shoplifting Alert With "Destroy And Grab" Technique 1:24

(CNN) -

Fourteen people involved in recent mass robberies at Los Angeles luxury stores have been arrested, authorities said.

Groups working in tandem stole property "using weapons and physical force to overwhelm and intimidate store employees and other customers" in 11 cases from November 18 to 28.

This was reported Thursday by the head of the Los Angeles Police Department, Michel Moore, at a press conference.

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These incidents included four robberies, six burglaries and one grand theft, said Moore, who linked them to a series of what he described as armed robberies in the state and across the country.

Not all recent mass robberies have targeted luxury stores, as similar crimes have also been perpetrated against pharmacies and cannabis dispensaries.

The mass robberies last month in California, Illinois and Minnesota have prompted state and local law enforcement to dedicate more resources to combat this crime.

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"These crimes were characterized by the fact that several suspects worked together and coordinated instances of property destruction, assault on store employees and caravans of vehicles that parked in close proximity to luxury retail stores," Moore said.

The 14 suspects in the Los Angeles crimes are out of custody, Moore said.

The loot is worth about $ 338,000 and there is more than $ 40,000 in property damage, according to Moore, who said the stolen items are likely to be resold at a discounted price.

Robberies