During a night of rampage on the streets earlier this week, a group of more than 100 looters intentionally crashed a Kia into a small bakery in Compton, before rushing in and ransacking the store.
The thieves gathered in the area around 3 a.m. Tuesday for an illegal street occupation, then traveled a mile to Reuben's Bakery & Mexican Food.
When they arrived at the locked store, a white Kia appeared and backed up to the front door, clearing the entrance for the mob of looters to take possession of their loot.
Security camera footage showed chaos inside the store, with rioters stuffing everything they could into their arms and pockets three hours before the store was due to open.
The majority of looters tried to hide their identities by wearing masks or pulling hoods over their faces with their hands.
Los Angeles Sheriff's Department Lt. Melissa Ramirez said items stolen in Tuesday morning's brazen robbery included meat scales, meat, groceries and lottery tickets.
Police had received two calls about a car on fire and a street occupation outside the bakery shortly before the looting occurred.
Neighbors say they don't feel safe as crime continues in South Los Angeles.
“I was so disappointed when I walked in there and saw you in your car and shoved the door in,” one resident said. told NBC Los Angeles.. “People are coming in and vandalizing. It's really scary.”
Local politicians are now trying to curb the frequency of illegal street occupations after looters destroyed a bakery.
“Ensuring the safety of our city's businesses and residents is our top priority,” Compton Democratic Mayor Emma Sharif told the City Council Tuesday night, hours after the wild bakery invasion.
During the meeting, Sharif urged the city council to sign an ordinance that would increase court appearances for those involved in street occupations.
“We need to vote on this in order to actually start implementing the changes that have been made to the policy.
However, not everyone is satisfied with the government's response, with many residents frustrated by the lack of action.
“They are rampaging outside and tearing up our streets,” said one frustrated resident. told KCAL News “It's like, when is it going to end?”
“I'm tired of hearing this nonsense every day,” another attendee exclaimed in the meeting's public comment section.
Takeovers have been a problem across Los Angeles County in recent years, with city and county officials unsuccessfully trying various methods to stop the gatherings.
A woman whose brother was killed last year when he was hit by a car fleeing from a street siege is desperately seeking action from the city.
“Every time a road is occupied, we relive the nightmare. It's been going on for a year now, and I don't want anything to happen to other families. I want to know. What plans do you have?” Cindy Enamorado asked city council members.
The heartbroken sisters said they have met with several City Council members to discuss different approaches the city could take, including education, infrastructure and enforcement, but so far those meetings have not taken place.
“We need to build firewalls and stop allowing children from other cities to come and terrorize and destroy our cities. We need to take this seriously at this point. Yes, because it's only a matter of time before it happens.'' Another life lost.
No injuries or arrests were reported in Tuesday's looting.
