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California robbery gangs have struck again, swiping an estimated $25,000 in high-end goods after attacking a security guard with bear spray, according to local reports.
About five thieves — one in a distinctive orange wig — struck around 6:45 p.m. Wednesday at a Nordstrom in Canoga Park, KABC said of the latest in a plague of such smash-and-grab raids.
After spraying the guard, they snatched up to eight expensive handbags before fleeing in a newer model gray Ford Mustang, the station said.
Multiple police cruisers, as well as fire trucks and ambulances, were seen swarming the store, but there were no immediate arrests. The guard was treated by paramedics at the scene, officials said.
It is just the latest such robbery in California — including at least two other Nordstrom stores.
One of the chains was targeted Saturday, with wild footage showing an estimated 90 looters raiding the Walnut Creek branch in minutes.
An employee was also sprayed in that attack, while two others were punched and kicked, a spokesperson told NBC News at the time.
Three people have since been charged with felonies for that raid, officials told Fox Business.
Dana Dawson, 30, Joshua Underwood, 32, and Rodney Robinson, 19, were charged with a slew of crimes including organized retail theft, the outlet said. Dawson was also charged with possession of a firearm by a felon.
Another Nordstrom was also struck Monday night, with about 20 people swiping about $5,000 worth of merchandise from the chain’s store in The Grove in Los Angeles, police said.
The recent have particularly targeted the San Francisco Bay Area. Some experts blame the brazen crimes on a 2104 law there that lessened the penalty for shoplifting to a misdemeanor if the theft is less than $950.
Nine people have been charged with felonies for stealing more than $1 million in goods in connection with Friday night attacks on stores including Louis Vuitton, Burberry and Bloomingdale’s in the city, officials have said.
“We believe it is a lot of the same groups involved,” San Francisco Assistant Police Chief Mike Redmond told the Los Angeles Times.
Police have said they will put more officers outside likely targets to avoid gangs from streaming in, and Gov. Gavin Newsom said the California Highway Patrol has also stepped up patrols.
With Post wires
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