Gang loots Superior Grocers in front of staff in South Los Angeles

A mob of at least 20 thugs ransacked a Superior Grocers store in South Los Angeles early Sunday during an illegal street takeover, forcing terrified employees to flee upstairs and barricade themselves.

The break-in unfolded around 4:30 a.m. near Manchester Avenue and San Pedro Street, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.

Officers responded to the chaos and took one person into custody.

A South LA Superior grocery store was broken into during an illegal street takeover incident. KNN

The break-in unfolded around 4:30 a.m. near Manchester Avenue and San Pedro Street, according to the LAPD. KNN

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Staff who were working inside the store at the time of the raid ran to the second floor and locked themselves in as the group poured through the doors and looted the business. No injuries were reported.

Police said they do not yet know how much merchandise was stolen, and it remains unclear when the store will reopen.

The raid is the latest in a string of brazen smash-and-grabs tied to illegal street takeovers that have plagued Los Angeles in recent weeks.

Police said they do not yet know how much merchandise was stolen. It remains unclear when the store will reopen. KNN

The raid is the latest in a string of smash-and-grabs tied to illegal street takeovers that have plagued LA in recent weeks. KNN

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Superior grocery store employees were forced to flee and hide on the second floor. KNN

Authorities have formed a task force aimed at cracking down on the takeovers and the property crimes that often follow. KNN

AutoZone locations in East LA, Watts and Downey were hit multiple times in a matter of days, and a Boyle Heights pharmacy was also targeted by masked thieves who cut through security bars during a similar gathering.

Suspects use a saw to gain entry to the Lorena Pharmacy in Boyle Heights, Los Angeles, during a street takeover on Sunday night. ONSCENE.TV

The crime spree has seen businesses across the Los Angeles area repeatedly targeted as huge crowds gather for illegal street takeovers in the middle of the night.

An AutoZone was ransacked on Sunday in East Los Angeles. More than 100 vehicles reportedly took part in the street takeover at Olympic Boulevard and Atlantic Avenue. Instagram/@breakingnewslosangeles

Earlier this month, an AutoZone in East Los Angeles was ransacked twice in less than 24 hours as street takeovers unfolded near Olympic and Atlantic boulevards.

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The first break-in happened around 2:22 a.m. on Aug. 8, when one person allegedly smashed the store’s glass entrance doors and 10 others poured inside.

Less than 24 hours later, the same store was hit again after more than 100 vehicles swarmed the intersection near the business during another street takeover.

A Superior grocery store at the intersection of Manchester Avenue and San Pedro Street was broken into during a takeover incident in Florence, Los Angeles, Calif. Initial reports indicate that hundreds of individuals were involved in the break-in while employees fled and hid on the second floor. KNN

Some members of the crowd allegedly broke away and descended on the AutoZone, which had already been boarded up following the previous night’s looting.

Video showed looters, many with their faces covered, breaking into the battered store and fleeing with arms full of merchandise.

An AutoZone was ransacked on Sunday in East Los Angeles. More than 100 vehicles took part in a street takeover at Olympic Boulevard and Atlantic Avenue, according to authorities. Instagram/@breakingnewslosangeles

At least $50,000 in goods and three cash registers were reportedly stolen.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department later released photos of suspects it said were involved in the “coordinated, mob-like burglary” of the store, which authorities said resulted in significant loss and damage.

Suspects use a saw to gain entry to Lorena Pharmacy on Sunday night in Boyle Heights, Los Angeles County. Authorities are investigating the incident as one of two break-ins that occurred during separate street takeovers in the area. ONSCENE.TV

Investigators have sought the public’s help in identifying 41 suspects believed to be responsible for the two smash-and-grab thefts.

The AutoZone wasn’t the only business caught up in the recent mayhem.

Masked burglars also ransacked two businesses during separate street takeovers earlier this month, including Lorena Pharmacy in Boyle Heights, where a crowd of roughly 100 people had gathered nearby.

Suspects use a saw to gain entry to Lorena Pharmacy during a street takeover in Boyle Heights, Los Angeles, on Sunday. Authorities are investigating two break-ins that occurred during separate street takeovers less than two miles apart in Los Angeles County. ONSCENE.TV

Video showed two suspects using a saw to cut their way into the pharmacy before allegedly grabbing baskets filled with merchandise and fleeing. Police said as many as 10 people eventually entered the business.

Minutes later, another business was targeted less than two miles away when three suspects reportedly entered a Jack in the Box in East Los Angeles during another street takeover.

A grocery store at the intersection of Manchester Avenue and San Pedro Street in Florence, Los Angeles, Calif., was broken into during a takeover incident. Initial reports indicate that hundreds of individuals were involved in the break-in while employees were inside the store. KNN

Two masked individuals allegedly made off with two cash registers, according to LAPD.

An East Los Angeles AutoZone was ransacked on Sunday at Olympic Boulevard and Atlantic Avenue in East Los Angeles. More than 100 vehicles took part in the street takeover, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. Instagram/@breakingnewslosangeles

Break-ins have also been reported at AutoZone stores in Watts, Downey and Long Beach amid street-takeover activity across the Los Angeles area.

An East Los Angeles AutoZone was ransacked on Sunday amid a street takeover at Olympic Boulevard and Atlantic Avenue. More than 100 vehicles took part in the takeover, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. Instagram/@breakingnewslosangeles

The string of burglaries has raised concerns about businesses being targeted while police resources are pulled toward controlling the large crowds and vehicles that gather for the illegal events.

A Superior grocery store at the intersection of Manchester Avenue and San Pedro Street in Florence, Los Angeles, Calif., was broken into during a takeover incident. Initial reports indicate that hundreds of individuals were involved in the break-in while employees were inside the store. KNN

Authorities have formed a task force aimed at cracking down on the takeovers and the property crimes that often follow, but businesses continue to get hit by large, destructive crowds as their vehicles block intersections in the middle of the night.

The investigation into the Superior Grocers burglary is ongoing.