Organized gangs have been targeting high-end stores in California, getting away with up to $100,000 in merchandise in the brazen heists.
But now, there is a new spree targeting small family-run stores.
Police are investigating a string of burglaries targeting Los Angeles area pharmacies that appear to be tied to the same crew.
At least four mom-and-pop stories were hit on the same night this week, KCAL-TV reported.
The robbers all wear masks, gloves, and hoodies and use electric saws to cut their way through security gates before breaking glass to get into the stores.
The robbers were after highly addictive promethazine-codeine cough syrup, according to KTTV-TV but those pharmacies don't carry the product.
That's not stopping them from grabbing other items, including candy bars.
The same group of about six people is believed to have carried out seven break-ins since December across several communities.
There was a break in by another organized crime ring on Tuesday.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced charges against three people allegedly involved in organized retail theft, robbery, and grand theft carried out at high-end retail stores throughout California.
The thefts took place from December 12, 2022, until February 12, 2024. There were commercial burglaries and attempted burglaries in Los Angeles, Orange, San Diego, Riverside, Alameda, and Santa Clara Counties that resulted in more than $300,000 in losses to the stores, according to the A.G.
The suspects allegedly conducted smash-and-grab style thefts by running into the stores, grabbing purses and other high-dollar items, before running out.
The suspects allegedly ripped the bags off of the displays even when the items were connected to displays with locks. Merchandise was stolen from Burberry, Prada, Sunglass Hut, Louis Vuitton, Bottega Veneta, Michael Kors, Gucci, Coach, Versace, and Maison Margiela.
