The Americana at Brand Mall’s Yves Saint Laurent store was the target of a flash mob heist last month, and the Glendale Police Department has now made its first arrest in connection with the incident.
Ivan Isaac Ramirez, 23, of Los Angeles, was taken into custody by Glendale police detectives during a raid that was carried out on Thursday morning. He is the first person directly connected to the theft, in which a group of burglars fled with goods believed to be worth $400,000.
Glendale police arrested Ramirez, and he is being held on several counts, including conspiracy, burglary, grand theft, and organized retail theft.
Northeast of Los Angeles’ central business district is the city of Glendale, population just under 200,000. The Americana at Brand Mall is a major local shopping and entertainment center.
The tweet below confirms the news:
First Flash Mob Arrest In Americana At Brand Mall Robbery, LAPD Forms Retail Robbery Task Force https://t.co/vG0gjBRa6c
— Deadline Hollywood (@DEADLINE) August 17, 2023
Brianna Jimenez, a Los Angeles resident 21 years old, is a second suspect in the Glendale flash mob. Detectives are currently seeking her with an arrest warrant out.
On August 8, at least 30 suspects barged into the YSL store, and multiple onlookers recorded the crime on camera.
Since the first crime, Glendale detectives have worked with Americana security and Yves Saint Laurent representatives to piece together the facts of the case. The inquiry is still ongoing.
“I assure all members of the Glendale community and the broader Los Angeles region that these brazen smash-and-grab robberies and burglaries will not be tolerated. This marks the first arrest related to this crime and there are more arrests to come,” said a statement from Glendale Police Chief Manny Cid.
According to authorities, the advancement of this case has been greatly aided by crime tip information, video evidence, and community and business partner involvement.
The Americana at Brand’s owner, Caruso, has offered a reward of up to $50,000 for information leading to the identity, capture, and conviction of the suspects involved in the YSL heist.
In a statement, a representative for Caruso praised the police intervention.
“Our heartfelt thanks goes out to the Glendale Police Department for their swift and decisive actions leading to the first arrest for the theft at Saint Laurent. The relentless efforts of the GPD showcases their professionalism and dedication to upholding the safety and integrity of our community.
At Caruso, we remain steadfast in our commitment to the security of our guests, tenants, residents and employees and our top priority is to maintain a safe and family-friendly environment at each of our properties. While this incident was deeply concerning, it strengthens our resolve to ensure that The Americana at Brand continues to be a symbol of safety, excellence and community.”
LAPD has established an Organized Retail Crime Task Force in response to the recent spike in “flash mob”-style burglaries. The network of local law enforcement agencies now includes the Glendale Police Department. The task team shows up after numerous gang robberies of stores in Southern California and a comparable flash mob heist at Nordstrom in Canoga Park, California.
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A specialized unit created specifically to address the escalating flash mob issue is the Organized Retail Crimes Task Force. Detectives with experience in community engagement, investigative methods, and theft prevention will make up the task force. Their goals include eradicating recent instances of violent robberies at retail locations, lowering instances of organized retail theft, and promoting a safer atmosphere for everyone to purchase.
Call (818) 548-4911 immediately if you have any information to help the Glendale Police Department in this investigation. Call the L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS (800-222-8477) or submit your tip online at http://www.lacrimestoppers.org to remain anonymous.
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