The police are looking for a group of thieves who are apparently running amok across town.
They have the flavor of children and teenagers – who flee into the night with bags of crisps and candy instead of wads of cash, drugs or guns – and operate with the efficiency of a well-oiled machine.
Since July, according to the Los Angeles Police Department, a group of 20 to 40 boys and teenagers on bicycles have searched 7-Elevens across the city and county, hitting 14 in all.
All but one were committed on a Friday night.
A surveillance photo shows seven youths raiding a 7-Eleven stand stocked with chips — Ruffles, Tostitos, Lay’s and others — at a store on Wilshire Boulevard on July 12.
Less than a month later, more than a dozen young black-clad men returned. This time they broke through the double doors and stole the snacks, leaving a trail of candy and corn nuts behind.
Police said the group has been doing “blitz robberies” mostly at the stores conveniently located between downtown and the Westside.
There have been no injuries and the police have not provided an estimate of damages or losses to the stores.
Four of the 10 stores were hit twice, including venues on Beverly, Olympic and Wilshire boulevards and North Highland Avenue.
Los Angeles Police Department detectives are working with various divisions to identify the suspects. They have surveillance footage from several incidents and are in the process of identifying the youths. Most did not cover their faces, while a few wore masks.
Meanwhile, the LAPD said it is sending extra patrols to try to deter further incidents.
The thefts are just the latest in a string of crimes at LA-area 7-Elevens this year.
Last spring, Los Angeles sheriff’s deputies arrested a four-man crew connected to the robbery of California Lottery Scratchers taken mainly from 7-Elevens.
The crew allegedly committed 44 robberies during a nine-week stretch across the county, amounting to more than $250,000 stolen, including $90,000 in stolen scratchers.