St. Paul Stores Suffer 'Mob Thefts'

Groups of 30 to 40 juveniles flood and rob businesses.

February 24, 2011

ST. PAUL, MN - The St. Paul Police Department has urged area merchants to be aware of what it calls "mob thefts" at gas stations and convenience stores, MyFox9.com reports.

"There are a number of these types of thefts that have been taking place across the county in the last several months," said St. Paul Police Department spokesman Andy Skoogman. "Here in St. Paul, we've had two in four months. Certainly, it??s not a trend, but no-doubt concerning."

Last weekend, between 30 and 40 youths between 12 and 17 years old rushed into the Holiday Gas Station on Wabasha Street and stole candy, soft drinks, juice and other items.

When officers caught up with them, the teens scattered in all directions. Detectives and school liaison officers are now reviewing surveillance video to identify the teens.

In October, a St. Paul store clerk at a BP station encountered a similar mob pile at his store, during which the teens punched the clerk. They were eventually identified and charged.

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