Americana at Brand store hit with flash mob burglary; center owner offers reward

A group of thieves burglarized a high-end designer store at one of the nation’s highest-grossing retail centers.

The flash mob burglary occurred at the Yves Saint Laurent store at the Americana at Brand, an upscale mixed-used development in Glendale, Calif. At least 30 suspects flooded the store at approximately 4:50 pm on Tuesday afternoon, according to a city of Glendale news release. 

 The suspects stole clothing and other merchandise before running out of the store and escaping the location in about 20 vehicles. The estimated loss was put at approximately $300,000. No one was injured in the incident, and no weapons are believed to have been used.  

Caruso, the real estate company that owns the Americana as well as numerous properties, is offering offer a reward of up to $50,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the suspects who committed this crime.  (Rick Caruso, founder and CEO of the company, waged an unsuccessful campaign for mayor of Los Angeles, losing to Rep. Karen Bass in November.)

The Glendale Police Department is working with the Americana to identify suspects.

Flash mob burglaries involve a large, coordinated group of individuals simultaneously rushing into the store, overwhelming staff, and taking it over. The suspects grab as much merchandise as possible before fleeing in multiple vehicles. 

Last week, a group of masked thieves ran into a jewelry store at Park Place shopping center in Irvine, Calif., and stole nearly $900,000 in merchandise.