Philadelphia witnessed widespread looting last night, resulting in the arrest of around twenty individuals. An incident involving approximately 100 juveniles moving from one store to another, looting them, was reported by the city’s police.
Social media videos depict the chaos that unfolded. In one, officers can be seen chasing thieves, some of whom wore Halloween masks, as they looted a Lululemon store on Walnut Street in the city center. Other stores like Foot Locker and Apple were also affected. One video captured an officer tackling a looter to the ground, delivering a punch in the process.
The aftermath of the Apple store looting displayed empty display stands, with high-end electronics like iPhones missing. Staff could be seen in a state of disbelief, trying to assess the situation. Fox News reporter, Steve Keeley, shared videos that showed officers handcuffing individuals outside looted stores.
The looting of the Lululemon store was reported to have involved over 100 juveniles, according to a police officer’s statement to NBC Philadelphia. Multiple police commanders confirmed that these events had no link to earlier BLM protests. Protests had erupted in the city earlier following the dismissal of charges against police officer Eddie Irizarry, involved in a fatal shooting.
According to ABC, those detained by the police ranged from teenagers to young adults, and at least one weapon was recovered.
This incident comes weeks after Philadelphia’s Police Commissioner, Danielle Outlaw, resigned amidst rising lawlessness and homicides in the city. Outlaw, who had taken over as the city’s top cop in February 2020, left her position on September 22. Before her tenure, Philadelphia had less than 400 homicides annually since 2007. Both 2021 and 2022 saw over 500 homicides.
Increasing crime in Philadelphia coincides with a rise in homelessness and drug use on its streets. Local activists report that businesses have started using deterrents like sprinkler systems to prevent drug addicts from loitering around their storefronts.
This looting spree bears a resemblance to the ‘flash rob mobs’ recently seen in California. The LAPD has established a task force named the Organized Retail Crime Taskforce in response. Detectives warn that this trend is not just confined to California and could cost the US around $30 billion annually if not addressed.
One notable recent incident was the robbery of a Nordstrom in Topanga Mall, where a group of over 30 individuals made off with goods worth $300,000 from high-end brands. The LAPD confirmed the amount and noted that the thieves used bear spray on security guards during the robbery.
