I have been reporting on dramatic “smash and grab” robberies throughout California these past several months. The criminals targeted high-end boutiques, including a jewelry store where they stole$5 million worth of items.
I have also noted that “crime tourism” has become a hot trend in California, as South American gangs come north.
You can now add another fun, new description to the ever-expanding list of criminal activities in the Golden State: Follow home robberies.
A group of at least 17 gangs targeting Los Angeles’ wealthiest are responsible for the city’s recent string of robberies in which a wolf-pack of gang members tracks a prospective target to their home.
‘In my 34 years in the LAPD, I have never seen this type of criminal behavior in such large groups coordinating to conduct attacks on unsuspecting citizens to take their property and/or vehicles,’ said Capt. Jonathan Tippet of the attacks, which started in September.In November, Tippet was tabbed to head a division designed to combat the robberies – Follow Home Robbery Task Force – which has seen armed suspects stalk victims leaving ritzy boutiques, hotels, and restaurants before striking.The force – which includes 18 detectives – was created on November 23.Since then, a total of 221 follow-home robberies have been reported – with a further 45 coming before the task force’s creation.
A group of men has been arrested in connection with a string of violent follow-home robberies throughout Southern California, including one that targeted two tourists in West Hollywood.
According to an update issued Tuesday by the Los Angeles Police Department, Matthew Adams, Eric Wilson and Jayon Sparks are facing several robbery and gun charges.All three are accused of pulling off multiple robberies dating back to January, including an attack on two tourists who were heading back to their hotel from a nightclub in West Hollywood, according to police.Police say Adams, who police say has been charged with seven different robberies that occurred between January and March, and an unidentified suspect robbed the victims of their high-end watches along with other items.
In many instances, the attacks can be brutal.
In one case, a man was arrested this month on suspicion of robbing a victim of two watches worth an estimated $600,000.”We have seen countless individuals traumatized by having a gun pointed at them,” Tippet said. “Many others are dealing with the trauma and injuries from being tackled, kicked, beaten, punched and are pistol-whipped to the head.”
The attacks are highly organized, and targets have been killed in two instances.
Through surveillance video and other evidence, police have identified crews rolling three to five cars deep in some of the attacks, Tippet said, with gang members jumping out and blindsiding victims.“There’s no chance or opportunity for these victims even to comply. They’re just running up to people and attacking them, whether that’s putting a gun in their face or punching them and beating on them,” Tippet said. “Pistol whipping them as well.”In some cases, police determined that gang members inside high-end venues served as “spotters” for those outside, Tippet said, alerting them when wealthy targets were heading out.Shots have been fired in 23 cases, and two victims have been killed, said Tippet, who also heads the LAPD’s Robbery-Homicide Division, which investigates high-profile crimes.
I assert that the BLM riots in June 2020 created an environment in which criminals can morally justify their thefts and brutality, excusing their behavior as “reparations” or a response to the covid pandemic.
Bidenflation is likely to contribute to this disturbing trend.
Sadly, like covid, it appears that this new form of criminal activity is here to stay.
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