Over 50 arrested after mobs ransacked Philadelphia stores. Dozens of liquor outlets are shut down

11

On Wednesday, numerous individuals were charged with criminal offenses following an orchestrated wave of store break-ins across various Philadelphia neighborhoods. This disturbance was instigated through social media and resulted in groups of individuals forcefully entering retail spaces, looting merchandise, and fleeing the scenes, according to law enforcement officials.

The Philadelphia Police Department disclosed that a minimum of 52 individuals were arrested, and a variety of charges including burglary and theft were filed against at least 30 individuals. Only three of those charged are minors, stated Jane Roh, a spokesperson for the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office.

The events of Tuesday night, which targeted multiple stores such as Foot Locker, Lululemon, and Apple, were initially triggered by a peaceful demonstration against a judicial ruling. The judge had dismissed charges, including murder, against a Philadelphia police officer implicated in the fatal shooting of a man named Eddie Irizarry. However, Interim Police Commissioner John Stanford clarified in a press briefing that those involved in the looting were not part of the protest but were rather “criminal opportunists.”

Eighteen government-controlled liquor stores were also vandalized, prompting the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board to shut down all 48 of its retail establishments in Philadelphia and one in the suburban area of Cheltenham. While no staff members were injured during these events, some were “noticeably distressed,” according to Shawn Kelly, a spokesperson for the Liquor Control Board.

Social media footage revealed individuals dressed in hoodies and masks running from stores with stolen goods, and police apprehending some. In addition, pictures indicated significant damage at a sporting goods outlet in a mall. Law enforcement also reported the theft of seven automobiles from a lot in the northeastern part of the city.

The criminal activities extended from downtown Philadelphia to the northeast and west, causing extensive damage to commercial properties. According to the North 22nd Street Business Corridor, six enterprises in a single retail sector of North Philadelphia were also affected. This included three pharmacies, a hair salon, a tax preparation service, and a mobile phone retailer. Benjamin Nochum, the manager at Patriot Pharmacy, commented that this was the third such incident affecting his store since 2020. He emphasized the wider social impact, stating that the looters were essentially robbing the community.

The police are investigating claims that the criminal activities were coordinated via social media and possibly involved a sequence of vehicles moving from one location to another.

Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney condemned these actions as a “disturbing display of opportunistic criminal behavior” and assured that such conduct “will not be tolerated.” His administration is collaborating with law enforcement to evaluate potential requirements for augmented security measures.

The Philadelphia incidents reflect a broader trend of organized retail crimes that have plagued other regions, notably the San Francisco Bay Area. Young individuals, particularly in Philadelphia’s Center City district, were observed shortly before the onset of these crimes, some dressed conspicuously in black and wearing masks.

The police have been responding to a surge in emergency calls related to these events. One example includes a coordinated attack on a Foot Locker store. Additional instances involve police apprehending suspects at a Lululemon store and at an Apple Store where stolen devices were discarded once the thieves realized the devices were disabled.

While no immediate injuries were reported, a security guard at Foot Locker was allegedly attacked, according to CBS Philadelphia. Concurrently, Target announced the closure of nine stores in four states, including New York and California, citing an increase in organized retail crime endangering its employees and customers.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Philadelphia Looting

More about Philadelphia Looting

• Philadelphia Police Department Official Statement
• CBS Philadelphia News Coverage
• Mayor Jim Kenney’s Public Address
• Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board Announcement
• Social Media Footage of the Looting
• Judicial Ruling on Dismissed Charges Against Police Officer
• North 22nd Street Business Corridor Statement
• Target Store Closures Announcement