Flash Mob Robberies Continue (in DC metro area)
NBC Washington ^ | Aug 19, 2011 | Darcy Spencer
For the second time in a week, a flash mob robbed a convenience store in our area. Could it be a new trend in the Washington region?
In the latest incident, 10 women stormed the Shop Express convenience store along Benning Road in northeast Washington at about 3:15 a.m. Thursday.
They loaded up on food, drinks and snacks at different parts of the store.
Some of the women were carrying bags to hold some of the items. Then they all rushed out of the store at the same time without paying.
Employees said that each of the women stole about $60 worth of merchandise.
"Stealing is a very normal thing at convenience stores," one employee said. "It happens every day -- morning, evening, night. But such kind of thing I have never seen before."
Store employees said this was the third such incident at the store in the past couple of weeks, and that if the trend continues, the 24-hour store will have to close at night.
This store is not alone in its flash mob troubles. Last Saturday, a flash mob took over a 7-Eleven in Germantown.
Investigators in Montgomery County said they know who some of the suspects are, but they are hoping people will recognize the others and call police.