Less than two days into 2024, a family-run bakery was vandalized and robbed by a group of thugs in a “street takeover” in Compton, California, it was revealed Tuesday.
video obtained A group of looters can be seen storming the long-established Reuben's Bakery & Mexican Food Store near the intersection of El Segundo Boulevard and Santa Fe Boulevard, stealing merchandise and the entire cash register, ABC7 reported.
“Dozens” of young men and women broke into the small business, driving a white Kia Soul into the building and punching a gaping hole in the side of the bakery.
A street occupation triggered a break-in at a Mexican bakery in Compton, leaving the store in complete disarray as a swarm of looters ransacked the store. https://t.co/FgmGLkWWXu pic.twitter.com/9SGcDHRvOv
— ABC7 Eyewitness News (@ABC7) January 4, 2024
NEW: A mob vandalizes a car at a Mom & Pop Bakery in Compton, Calif., then loots and loots the entire store.
Maybe he needed donuts and chips to feed his family.
A large crowd of 100 looters destroyed Reuben's Bakery & Mexican Food in Compton after an illegal act. pic.twitter.com/eMaJ0KsHMO
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) January 4, 2024
The incident occurred around 3:30 a.m. on Tuesday, more than 24 hours after the New Year.
A bakery located in a particularly popular location. road hijack The outlet reported that this occurred.
One local woman said police are always in the area for incidents like this.
“It's kind of sad because now it's normal for us,” she said. “It happens so often that I've become a little desensitized to it, but this was like the final test. I don't really know what to do about it.”
The Compton Sheriff's Office said about 100 people took part in the street occupation, some of whom burned trash and debris in the street before the mob took over the store.
The perpetrators fled when police arrived, but no arrests have been made in connection with the bakery looting.
The owners of Reuben's Bakery reportedly lost $20,000 of their hard earned money over the holidays, and will also have to pay for expensive repairs.
Police also said the same vehicle that crashed into the building had been involved in a chase earlier in the day, but it was unclear why authorities were pursuing the driver in the first place. The sheriff's office noted that deputies lost sight of the vehicle and were unable to continue pursuit.
The surrounding blocks include several other small businesses, family homes, and a kindergarten.
Ann Anonymous “It's scary to know there's a preschool across the street and there are people doing this,” a school official told ABC7.
“We wanted to meet the owners and ask them if they needed anything or any support from us,” they added. “We are here for them.”
Illegal road occupations typically involve groups of people blocking intersections with vehicles in order to use the space for dangerous driving, racing, or other car tricks.
