Washington-area police said they are preparing to combat the “flash mob” phenomenon, a new tactic being used by criminals and violent youths around the country and in the region. Flash mobs are groups that form quickly, often coordinated using social media such as Twitter and Facebook. The earliest flash mobs engaged in more innocent pursuits such as dancing or throwing snowballs, but some groups are now gathering to attack innocent bystanders, fight among themselves or commit other crimes.
About 30 young people suddenly showed up at a 7-Eleven in Germantown at 2 a.m. Saturday and began grabbing merchandise off the shelves. People swiped drinks, candy and ice cream, and then left almost as quickly as they appeared — without paying.
| See for yourself |
| Videos of the Germantown 7-Eleven flash mob can be seen online below. Police are asking that anyone who might recognize any of the suspects to contact officers at 240-773-6200. Callers can remain anonymous. |
It was an initiation of sorts for Montgomery County police.
“We’ve not seen anything like this before,” Capt. Paul Starks said.
But officers in neighboring D.C. have. In April, about 20 teenagers entered a G-Star Raw store in Dupont Circle and stole about $20,000 worth of merchandise. Store manager Greg Lennon told the Associated Press that he saw Twitter postings written after the theft, with one person describing plans to return for more goods.
D.C. police said they are monitoring what is happening in other cities and discussing ways to combat flash-mob violence if it happens here.
“Fortunately, we haven’t been hit with exactly that type of crime yet,” said Assistant Chief Lamar Greene. “Of course, we’re aware and we’ve met to discuss tactics and we’re going to look at ways to make sure we’re able to combat this type of crime if it happens in the [District].”
Flash mobs by nature are difficult to identify because they happen swiftly. Residents are asked to call 911 if they notice large crowds of kids walking the streets at odd hours.
After Saturday’s brazen thefts at the 7-Eleven at 13000 block of Wisteria Drive, Montgomery County police are checking social media sites like Facebook and Twitter to see whether any of the participants posted information about the theft or pictures of themselves committing the crime, Starks said.
Police are working to confirm the identity of at least four suspects.
The store’s surveillance video, posted on YouTube by police, shows the teenagers laughing and smiling as they grab snacks and walk out with stolen goods.
Mohammad Jehanzeb, son of the store’s owner, said there was only one clerk working when the thieves swarmed the store. The clerk hit the panic button, but the mob was gone by the time police got there.
“It’s a flash mob,” Jehanzeb said. “What are you going to do?”
The incident comes as police departments around the country are dealing with flash mobs.
» Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter ordered a curfew to crack down on flash mobs after several people were injured in separate instances this month.
» The opening day of Wisconsin State Fair this month was marred by racially motivated mobs involved in at least 11 violent attacks.
» In Los Angeles, a man was shot when hundreds of gang members gathered at Venice Beach after some of them posted on Twitter.
Staff writer Rachel Baye contributed to this report.
