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Police are investigating the latest smash-and-grab flash mob robberies in the Bay Area that occurred last night at the Southland Mall in Hayward.
Police say about nine people smashed cases inside Sam's Jewelry and made off with an unknown amount of jewelry. Meanwhile, three people face charges in connection with a flash mob robbery of a Nordstrom store in Walnut Creek Saturday night. Police estimate about 80 people entered the store Saturday night and began stealing merchandise. Two employees were assaulted and one employee was pepper-sprayed. Friday night, thieves hit several retail outlets in San Francisco's Union Square.
"There was a mob of people and police coming in, it was like something out of the movies, it was insane," said witness Brett Barrett.
Hayward police said multiple 911 calls came in at around 5:25 p.m., just before closing time. Most of the stores at the mall close at 6 p.m. Police have not officially reported how much jewelry was taken from the store or the volume of merchandise other stores in the mall lost.