COMPTON, CA – A large group of over 100 individuals wreaked havoc in Compton, California, earlier this week when they intentionally drove a Kia into a local bakery, Ruben’s Bakery & Mexican Food, and proceeded to loot the establishment. The incident occurred around 3 a.m. Tuesday, following an illegal street takeover.
The perpetrators used a white Kia to ram into the locked bakery, creating an entrance for the crowd to storm in and pillage the store. Security cameras recorded the ensuing chaos as the mob filled their pockets and arms with anything they could grab before the store’s opening time, three hours later.
Most of the looters tried to hide their identities by wearing masks or covering their faces with their hoods. Among the stolen items were meat scales, groceries, meat, and lottery tickets, as per Captain Melissa Ramirez of the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department.
Local law enforcement had received two calls about a burning car and a street takeover near the bakery just before the looting took place. The incident has left many residents feeling unsafe, with some expressing their fears and frustrations about the ongoing crime in the Southern LA city.
In response to the incident, local politicians are advocating for measures to curb the frequency of such illegal street takeovers. Compton’s Democratic Mayor Emma Sharif, during a city council meeting held hours after the bakery break-in, emphasized that the safety of businesses and residents was their top priority. She urged the council members to approve an ordinance that would increase penalties for those participating in street takeovers.
However, not all residents are satisfied with the government’s response, expressing frustration at the perceived lack of action. Illegal street takeovers have been a recurring issue across Los Angeles County for several years, with city and county officials trying various strategies to deter these gatherings.
No injuries or arrests were reported in the Tuesday looting incident.