Los Angeles detectives search for teens responsible for 14 flash robberies at 7-Eleven stores

The Los Angeles Police Department has assigned its organized retail crime task force to help find the group of teens responsible for 14 flash robberies at various 7-Eleven stores throughout the city.

"They're also just completely destroying the place. They're vandalizing it," Detective Supervisor Samuel Arnold said. "We're going to make it stop."

The string of robberies started on July 12 and continued sporadically for two months, with the latest instance happening on Sept. 20. Videos from the incidents show groups of teenagers, ranging between 20 to 40 suspects, raiding the convenience stores and ransacking the shelves. Arnold said the vandalism resulted in roughly $30,000 in damages. According to detectives, 13 of the 14 robberies occurred on Friday evenings. 

"When you see these images and when you see the videos, they're going in there laughing. They're smiling," Arnold said. "It's almost as if they're having a good time."

Arnold said detectives have identified some of the suspects and arrested at least one of the teens on Thursday. 

"If anyone is watching this video and you are involved in these crimes, I want you to understand that you're not out just having fun and maybe doing some petty theft. We consider this a serious crime," he said. "Don't get yourself involved in this."

Detectives urged anyone with information on the robberies to call 1(877) 527-3247. Those wishing to stay anonymous should call the LA Regional Crime Stoppers at 1(800) 222-8477 or visit their website.