Mob Of Los Angeles Teens Loot Grocery Store, Harass Patrons And Motorists

A large mob of teenagers recently swarmed a grocery store in Los Angeles, allegedly looting items and releasing pepper spray, and harassed motorists in the parking lot.

Videos shared by Ryan Benson show the incident that unfolded on April 19. In footage from inside the Ralphs grocery store on Vermont Avenue and Adams Street, alarms can be heard blaring as shoppers try to continue their errands while police or security officers try to disperse a crowd of unruly teenagers.

“There was so much pepper spray in the air that everyone in the store was coughing, sneezing, hiding their face under their shirt,” Benson told KTLA.

But getting out of the store was only half the battle. Once Benson and his husband were in their car, they say they were harassed and felt trapped.

“Saying things like, You guys gay? Homophobic slurs, hitting the car, throwing bottles,” Benson told the outlet. Additional clips show the crowd of kids blocking the road.

“Our window is broken, our windshield is cracked, both doors are dented, and there is a dent with paint damage,” Benson said of the thousands of dollars in damage to his vehicle. “I understand that theyre children, but these are really scary things and we cant just decide that its not happening.”

Benson said that since posting his videos on social media, he has been threatened by teens he believes were involved in the incident.

Los Angeles Police Department investigators told KTLA the mob of teens may be linked to similar incidents, including the looting of multiple 7-Eleven convenience stores.