Los Angeles Gangs Stalking And Robbing The Wealthy

Gangs across Los Angeles are targeting the upper class with 17 criminal organizations tracking and violently robbing the wealthy of high-end items, including watches and jewelry.

The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) said the “follow home” suspect follows a potential victim from a high end establishment such as an expensive restaurant or boutique to an isolated location. The LAPD said suspects rob the victims of expensive items and sell them to buyers on the black-market.

“There’s no chance or opportunity for these victims even to comply,” Capt. Jonathan Tippet said. “They’re just running up to people and attacking them, whether that’s putting a gun in their face or punching them and beating on them.”

“In my 34 years on the job, I’ve never seen anything like this,” Tippet added. He warned individuals to stop buying the stolen items because they are also “participating” in criminal activity.

The ongoing trend in “follow home” robberies was first identified early last year, police said. LAPD’s Robbery-Homicide Division (RHD) developed a Follow Home Task Force to “assume follow home robberies and identify the associated crews of suspects.”