November 22, 2011 4:11 PM

Flash mob robs Silver Spring, Md. 7-Eleven

By
Casey Glynn
Topics
Daily Blotter

(CBS) - Police are investigating the mass robbery Saturday of a 7-Eleven in Silver Spring, Maryland by a so-called "flash mob."

About 50 people, described as teens and young adults, told items such as beverage and snacks, reports NBC Washington.

Detectives are reportedly investigating whether the shoplifters had attended a birthday party in the area, the station reports.

A similar incident occurred at a 7-Eleven in Germantown in August of this year, when more than two dozen teenagers entered the store and stole snacks, drinks and other items. They immediately left the store a minute later without paying.

More on Crimesider
August 16, 2011- Flash mob robs Maryland 7-Eleven


Add a Comment See all 16 Comments
by RickCain4150 November 25, 2011 12:11 PM EST
White people flash mob for fun. Black people flash steal for profit.
Reply to this comment
by legalbutnotjust November 24, 2011 12:21 AM EST
What did the teens and young adults 'tell' the items?

I bet if the items could talk back, they'd say that they aren't suprised they are being taken for free; they go out the door without being paid for in a lot of other places as well.
Reply to this comment
by RuthBCarter November 23, 2011 1:24 PM EST
This is group shoplifting, not a flash mob. Flash mobs are not criminal acts: http://******/oz4Qwb. Referring to these multiple offender crimes as "flash mobs" hurts the reputation of the real flash mob community. I organize flash mobs with Improv AZ and we're always careful to look up the laws in advance to make sure that everything we do is legal.
Reply to this comment
by Samlv November 23, 2011 8:22 AM EST
Our laws have fallen woefully behind the times.

Using online communication to organize a crime should be racketeering or at least a felony BY ITSELF. The reason is it is much more powerful than a telephone ever was. That is not recognized by the law, yet.

Using online messaging to abuse someone should be treated exactly like in-person battery, too.

Lying online about identity, an offer for a product, to steal, should be treated as fraud.
Reply to this comment
by Samlv November 23, 2011 8:19 AM EST
So, where is the public moral outrage of:
1. Al Sharpton
2. Jessie Jackson
3. NAACP
.....

As for the people posting here that reporting this doesn't help someone's image --- for far too long, we have allowed PC/EEO thinking to avoid very painful truths. If you have a complaint, start talking to the people doing the wrong instead of asking for more money.
Reply to this comment
by buccos November 23, 2011 7:38 AM EST
So people wonder why have food deserts in certain urban areas. What major grocer would set up shop in these places?
Reply to this comment
by Imthaid2 November 23, 2011 4:19 AM EST
Kinda makes me wish I was black so I could get some free stuff.
Reply to this comment
by Samlv November 23, 2011 8:35 AM EST
You're just not in the 1% of whites. That's the problem. If you were, you'd have all of the free stuff you could stand. For life.
by guest173 November 23, 2011 12:17 AM EST
just some trivia, I worked at a gas station and saw all races and various ages but usually in 30s and younger steal a lot. Saw one young mother steal gas with a baby in the back, saw adults cram as many cigarette cartons down their pants as they could try to waddle out with (and get tackled by the manager) and etc. We always called the police and got license plate numbers as much as possible, this store should have a video in the parking lot too, try to get plate numbers.
Reply to this comment
by whatiswrongwiththisworld November 22, 2011 9:35 PM EST
losers.
Reply to this comment
by whatiswrongwiththisworld November 22, 2011 9:34 PM EST
GEE maybe they wouldn't show video of these black people - if the black people HAD NOT DONE THIS. What gives? White people show up to a flash mob, sing and dance, go on their way. This is what black people do? ***?

Again, maybe if these black people (ALL black in the vid) DIDN'T GO IN AND STEAL THEY WOULDN'T have this video to show? How about go to black youths and try to chastise them. Don't chastise the news for showing the news.
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