WALNUT CREEK, Calif. — Two men and one woman have been arrested after dozens of looters stole items from a Nordstrom in Walnut Creek on Saturday evening, according to a press release issued Sunday by police, who described the situation as “organized” and “planned.”
The incident occurred shortly before 9 p.m. at the Broadway Plaza shopping mall, according to the press release, and approximately 80 people were involved.
The three suspects arrested are between the ages of 18 and 32. Two are from San Francisco and the other is from Oakland. One of the individuals who was arrested was in possession of a firearm.
The three are being charged with robbery, burglary, conspiracy and possession of stolen property. One is also being charged with illegal possession of a firearm by a felon and carrying a concealed weapon.
During the incident, police say two Nordstrom employees were assaulted and another was pepper-sprayed.
Police say they are currently reviewing video surveillance footage. According to city spokeswoman Betsy Burkhart, the Nordstrom store was open with customers during the looting.
The incident mirrors one that happened on Friday night at a Louis Vuitton store in San Francisco’s Union Square where several dozen looters stole merchandise. A police spokesman said they have arrested several individuals involved and were also responding to other incidents of looting in the surrounding area.
Amid the protests in response to the murder of George Floyd in summer 2020, Walnut Creek imposed a citywide curfew after a woman was shot and looters targeted stores at Broadway Plaza. In December, the Contra Costa District Attorney filed charges against nine individuals, accusing them of stealing from the Walnut Creek mall during those protests.
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