Thieves use Facebook and Twitter to co-ordinate 'flashrob' raid of Victoria's Secret store
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2018835/Facebook-Twitter-used-plan-flashrob-raid-Victorias-Secret-store.html#ixzz1TDWNFvN7
A group of men and women robbed a Victoria's Secret lingerie store after organising a 'flashmob' style robbery using Facebook and Twitter, police have revealed.
The group entered the high-end lingerie store in Georgetown, Washington, on Monday afternoon and made off with products 'within seconds' after co-ordinating the raid online.
The incident is the latest in a worrying trend of thefts through 'flashmobs' which until now were used merely to organise large-scale public dances or protests.
Police believe the 'flashrobs' are planned on Facebook and Twitter, with raiders entering stores filled with stunned customers before brazenly stealing goods directly in front of store security cameras.
Officers in Georgetown, Washington, have reported similar incidents where robbers enter stores after apparently planning the raids using social network sites.
Lt John Hedgecock, from Washington D.C. Police, told Fox News: 'They come in and they do it so fast - within a matter of seconds.
'What happened in this store probably lasted around 20 seconds.
'They go in, they distract the employees and they grab the merchandise, they are in and out.
'We have some information that they may be using some of the social media such as Facebook and Twitter to schedule an event if you will.'
During the robbery on Monday afternoon at around 2pm, two men and two women entered the store with two baby strollers, while a small child distracted staff, allowing the theft to take place.
Store owners have told how robbers show no concern for store security, and sometimes even 'pose' for cameras in the knowledge that the confusion of the flashrob means identifying them could be difficult.
Alex Brown, an employee at Georgetown Park store Riccardi, which has a dozen cameras, said: 'The people who do it don't care and sometimes pose.
Repeat offenders: Just three months ago another 'flashrob' gang made off with $20,000 of goods at a DuPont store in Washingtn
'They will stand there and look at the camera in a funny way.'
Experts believe young people get a rush from taking part in the 'flashrobs' and having the footage circulated in the media or on YouTube by police.
Scott Decker, Professor of Criminology at Arizona State University, told Fox News: 'Young people are risk takers and seeing themselves on security videos uploaded on YouTube or the news can be a thrill to them.'
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2018835/Facebook-Twitter-used-plan-flashrob-raid-Victorias-Secret-store.html#ixzz1TDWhLTqX
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