Global Courant 2023-04-16 23:03:59
An estimated 100 people broke into a gas station in Compton after a street takeover early Sunday morning, throwing open a door and taking merchandise from shelves, authorities said.
A crowd of people poured into the Arco gas station near Alondra Boulevard and Central Avenue around 2:30 a.m., according to authorities and videos posted to local TV news stations and social media.
At least three street takeovers occurred overnight in the Compton area, including one at the intersection where the burglary occurred, Sgt. Clarence Williams of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
Video footage shows a man in a black mask and hood using an object to break through glass and open a door to the station. Then dozens of people – some with masks and others not – enter the store.
You see people grabbing snacks, drinks and other items in a chaotic frenzy. A person caught on video grabs several packs of condoms while smiling.
Williams said he had never seen a flash mob-type break-in “at that level”.
By the time police arrived, the crowd was gone, Williams said.
No arrests have been made and no one in the video has been identified, he said.
Williams said street takeovers happen most weekends in the area. A large one was reported overnight near Long Beach Boulevard and Rosecrans Avenue, in addition to those near the gas station.
According to KTLA-5, tire tracks from donut-making cars have marked the intersection at the Arco, along with other damage.
“They’re just about every weekend,” Williams said. “We are doing our best to help citizens resolve this issue.”
