WALNUT CREEK, Calif. — More than 80 people stormed the Nordstrom in Walnut Creek, California, late Saturday, with dozens of ski mask-clad looters ransacking the upscale department store before fleeing to waiting vehicles in what video footage showed appeared to be a coordinated caper.
#Breaking About 25 cars just blocked the street and rushed into the Walnut Creek Nordstrom making off with goods before getting in cars snd speeding away. At least two people arrested at gunpoint. pic.twitter.com/AG3R94M9L3
— Jodi Hernandez (@JodiHernandezTV) November 21, 2021
“There was a mob of people and police coming in. It was like something out of the movies. It was insane,” witness Brett Barrett told KGO-TV.
Walnut Creek police Lt. Ryan Hibbs told KPIX that three people are in custody and others are being sought after the flash-mob style robbery.
“Walnut Creek police investigators are in the process of reviewing surveillance footage to attempt to identify other suspects responsible for this brazen act,” authorities stated in a news release.
According to KPIX, the suspects taken into custody included an 18-yer-old Oakland man who had fled on foot and was charged with robbery, possession of stolen property, conspiracy to commit burglary and possession of burglary tools.
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Two other people in their 30s from San Francisco were arrested after stolen property from the looted store and a firearm were recovered from their vehicle. The man was charged with robbery, possession of stolen property, conspiracy to commit burglary and possession of burglary tools, while the woman was charged with unlawful possession of a firearm, the TV station reported.
Video shot at the scene shows the masked looters streaming out of the store, carrying bags and boxes, before climbing into the waiting cars.
Police confirmed to KGO-TV that two store employees were assaulted and one was pepper sprayed in the chaos.
“This is obviously a coordinated activity, an organized group of people working together, using social media to communicate with each other,” Walnut Creek Mayor Kevin Wilk told the TV station.
“Thankfully, nobody was seriously injured,” Nordstrom officials said in a prepared statement, noting that five employees sustained minor injuries, but were treated and released.
“The safety of our employees and customers is our top priority, and we’re doing everything we can to support them through this situation. We are working with the Walnut Creek Police Department in their active investigation,” the company added.
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