Authorities say an estimated 100 people stormed a Compton gas station after a roadblock early Sunday morning, smashing doors and taking merchandise from shelves.
A crowd of people flooded into the Arco gas station around 2:30 a.m. near Alondra Avenue and Central Avenue, according to authorities and videos posted on local TV stations and social media.
The sergeant major said at least three roadblocks occurred overnight in the Compton area, including one at the intersection where the break-in took place. Clarence Williams of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
The video shows a man wearing a black mask and hood using an object to break glass and open a door to the station. Then dozens of people — some wearing masks and others not — crowded into the store.
People can be seen grabbing snacks, drinks and other items in the frenzied mayhem. One person in the video laughs while taking several packs of condoms.
Williams said he’s never seen a flash-mob hack “to that extent.”
According to Williams, by the time law enforcement arrived, the crowd was gone.
He said no arrests have been made and no one in the video has been identified.
Williams said street takeovers happen most weekends in the area. One major incident was reported overnight near Long Beach Avenue and Rosecrans Avenue, in addition to one near gas stations.
According to KTLA-5, tire tracks from donut-making cars left scars at the intersection near Arco, among other damages.
“They just show up every weekend,” Williams said. “We’re doing the best we can to try to help people deal with this.”
