Legal Insurrection readers will recall that California was rocked by a series of “smash and grab,” organized robberies caught on dramatic video footage during the Christmas season.
The flash mob robberies continue, especially in Los Angeles County, where District Attorney George Gascón’s “criminal justice policies” are a crime against justice.
For example, there was an incident at an LA area mall Friday night.
The Los Angeles Police Department is investigating what is believed to be a smash-and-grab robbery attempt at the Westfield Topanga & The Village shopping mall in Canoga Park Friday night.The incident, which occurred at about 5:35 p.m. in the 6600 block of Topanga Canyon Boulevard, was first reported as an assault with a deadly weapon, said Officer Madison of the LAPD.However, it was five masked suspects who emerged from a gray car and made their way to the Ice Brothers custom jewelry store, where they deployed a spray — possibly bear or pepper spray — on the store’s employees, police said.As a would-be robber prepared to use a baseball bat to smash a display case, one of the store’s owners pulled out a gun, police added.
But even more disturbing is the fact “smash and grab” is morphing into “slash and dash,” as an unknown assailant fatally stabbed a University of California (UCLA) grad student while she was working as a consultant at a high-end furniture store in Los Angeles.
Brianna Kupfer, 24, was alone and working at Croft House on North La Brea Avenue at around 1:50 p.m. on Jan. 13 when a stranger walked in and knifed her to death, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.The unknown male suspect, who is believed to be homeless, then fled through the back door and walked calmly down an alley, cops said.Kupfer, of Pacific Palisades, was discovered dead on the floor by a customer about 20 minutes later.The victim was studying architectural design and worked at the furniture store as a design consultant.
This story is personal to me in many ways. I have walked around that area. My step-daughter went to UCLA. I have friends who live just down the street.
The decay in public safety is palpable. And it is disgusting.
My colleague Mike LaChance noted that the area’s railroads are now trying to deal with organized theft on a truly astonishing scale. Union Pacific is placing the blame on Gascón’s policies.
A major rail carrier being regularly pillaged by looters in the Los Angeles area has lashed out against District Attorney George Gascon, saying his soft-on-crime policies are doing nothing to stop thieves.Union Pacific (UP) says thefts from its cargo trains parked in Los Angeles County increased 160 percent during the past year – and spiked 356 percent last October compared to the same month in 2020.The Nebraska-based rail carrier said its agents have made hundreds of arrests, but said less than half are booked are even booked – and some are released in less than 24 hours.It’s now calling on Gascon – who has been heavily criticized for his reformative approach to punishment – to do something to help fend off thieves stealing millions of dollars worth of Amazon and UPS packages.
Unfortunately for Union Pacific, the residents of Los Angeles, and the rest of the nation that values justice, the first recall effort for Gascón Failed.
There is now a second effort, and The Beverly Hills City Council voted unanimously to join the effort.
The Beverly Hills council cites an increase in widespread crime, including follow-home robberies and smash and grab robberies as s reason for wanting to recall Mr. Gascón.Los Angeles County Sherriff Alex Villanueva supported the first recall effort of Mr. Gascón.Some families of victims and victims’ advocates have criticized Gascón, a former police chief, for being too soft on crime following his elimination of criminal enhancement provisions.
Perhaps Union Pacific could help support those efforts. Lives literally depend on the success the second time around.
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