Who robbed TJ Maxx in LA? Duo 'strolls' out of store with stolen goods in SHOCKING viral video
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Shocking video footage has emerged of two men walking out of a Granda Hills TJ Maxx store with plenty of stolen goods. The two men can be seen with their arms filled with merchandise, as they walk out of the store then drive away in a car. The brazen attempt was caught on video and uploaded to Instagram, going viral as people were shocked at just how calmly the two men walked away.
The theft is part of a huge surge in crime, not just in California but nationally. Several stores have been looted of late, mostly under the guise of protests. In April, we reported on the looting of the Dollar Tree store in Brooklyn Centre, Minnesota, in response to the Daunte Wright shooting. In June, protesters in SoHo Manhattan broke into several high-end stores and made away with goods.
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There have also been several bizarre and brazen robberies of late. On July 17, we reported on a robbery of a Bath and Body Works store at Miami International Mall. Not only did the suspect take some candles, but he also sprayed everyone nearby with bear spray to escape. In the TJ Maxx robbery, the suspects didn't need to resort to any such deterrents. They simply walked away, unchecked and untouched.
Who are the robbers?
So far, their identities have not been revealed. The incident was caught by a user on Instagram, who uploaded the video on July 19. "Shoplifters know there's nothing we can do. just happened about 15 minutes ago," the person said in the post. In the video, the two men are seen with facemasks walking out of the store with their arms filled with goods. One of the men also appears to have a backpack filled, but it is unclear if that is with TJ Maxx goods or something else.
After walking out of the store, the men walk towards a black sedan in the parking lot. They get in and drive away, with no attempt made to stop them. If it sounds unbelievable, here's the video for you to see.
The LAPD is currently investigating the incident, but so far no arrests have been made. Even if the duo is arrested, it is likely they will get away with a laughably low fine, equivalent to a traffic ticket. The reason? Prop 47. The 2014 bill lowered criminal sentences for certain non-violent crimes such as shoplifting. To make matters worse, many stores fear attempting to stop shoplifters, since some of them tend to be armed and willing to use force. Last week, an employee at a Glassell Park Rite Aid was shot and killed when attempting to stop two shoplifters from stealing a case of beer.
"If they’re caught, they’re probably given the equivalent of a traffic ticket, so it’s not taken seriously," Los Angeles Police Department Sgt. Jerretta Sandoz told CBS Los Angeles. "They didn’t even run out, they walked out. And so, that’s sending a message that we, the criminals, are winning," she added. Under Prop 47, shoplifting goods less than $950 in value was classified as a misdemeanor, not a felony.
While shoplifting and robbery rates have largely stayed the same over time, arrest numbers have dropped in the state. However, many cities and communities have alleged that rates are on the rise, and begun to call for DA's to be removed. The Daily Mail reported that 24 city councils have now passed a 'no-confidence vote against LA County DA George Gascon. There is also an official petition launched in May, asking for his recall. Likewise, there are calls to remove San Francisco DA Chesa Boudin.
Meanwhile, the state has seen several brazen robbery attempts go viral, and widely covered by the press. It's unclear how California plans to deal with the situation, but clearly, there is an urgent need to act soon.