7-11 ransacked by giant mob in Los Angeles

A massive gang of people took over a Los Angeles intersection, terrorizing motorists, before mobbing a nearby 7-11, destroying and looting items from the convenience store.

According to the Los Angeles Police Department, a street takeover was initiated at the intersection of Figueroa Street and El Segundo Boulevard at approximately 12:40am on Monday. The mob flooded the intersection, blocking traffic with their vehicles from all directions to create a "pit" in the middle of the intersection. Onlookers watched as the mob drove recklessly in the circle, doing "donut" maneuvers, leaving tire tracks on the pavement.

"The spectators then formed a 'flash mob' of looters and rushed a nearby 7-Eleven," the LAPD statement said. "Video surveillance from the store showed the looters fanning out across the store and grabbing all the snacks, drinks, cigarettes, lotto tickets, and other merchandise."

Police also said that the looters also vandalized the store and threw merchandise at employees, who were unable to put up a fight against the mob of around 100 people. After looting, the large group exited the store, and "quickly dispersed before police arrived."

One store employee was left fearing for his life after the incident, reported the Daily Mail.

While the term 'flash mob' was first used to describe a large public gathering typically organized via social media, at which people perform a harmless random act, such as dancing, the latest cases of flash mobs have been criminal.

"We really want to prevent this from becoming a new trend where they think they show up and take over a street or a freeway or any part of the city, that they're just going to be able to do whatever they want," said LAPD Detective Ryan Moreno.

Those involved in this latest LA flash mob face charges of vandalism, grand theft, and looting when they are apprehended by authorities.