4 thieves use hammers in brazen robbery at Santa Anita mall. Holiday shoppers are shaken
Police are searching for four people who used hammers Sunday to smash display cases and snatch jewelry and other luxury goods at a mall near the Santa Anita racetrack — a brazen robbery that shook crowds of holiday shoppers.
“There was a smash-and-grab,” said Arcadia Police Lt. Tony Juarez.
Arcadia police said the robbery was reported just before 1 p.m. at Rebag, a high-end consignment store at the Shops at Santa Anita. Four men wearing blue hoodies, sweatpants and masks entered the store and used hammers to break glass cases and steal watches and purses, police said.
The group then fled in a white Infiniti sedan, according to a statement by the Arcadia Police Department.
On social media, posters reported shoppers running for cover and hiding in stores, with some claiming to have heard gunshots. Police later confirmed the area was clear.
“Everything is OK and everything is safe now,” said a mall security official, who declined to give his name.
The robbery is under investigation. Officials in Arcadia asked that anyone with information contact the Police Department at (626) 574-5151.
Times staff writer Harriet Ryan contributed to this report.
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