Four Arrested as Organized Retail Theft Continues NR23267dm

Los Angeles: On September 1, 2023, around 10:20 a.m., two male adult suspects and two female juvenile subjects, entered a business in the 1600 block of West 7th Street in Los Angeles. They removed approximately $5000 worth of items from the shelves, placed them in bags, and began walking out of the business without paying for the items. Store security confronted the group as they were exiting and one of the female subjects produced a can of pepper spray and threatened to use it if they were stopped. The group then fled with the store’s merchandise on foot South on Union Avenue.

Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) Rampart Area patrol officers responded to the 1600 block of West 7th Street after receiving an “Assault with a Deadly Weapon” radio call. Responding officers obtained suspect information from store security and were able to locate the group near 8th Street and Union Avenue. All four suspects were taken into custody without incident.

All the stolen merchandise was recovered and returned to the business. The LAPD’s Organized Retail Theft Task Force responded to Rampart Area to assist with the investigation.

Two female juveniles were arrested and booked for 602 WIC / 211 PC Robbery. Two male adults were arrested and booked, and their booking information is as follows:

Demaree Anderson
Booking #6670244
Charge – 211 PC Robbery
Bail – $50,000.00

George Thomas
Booking #6670257
Charge – 211 PC Robbery
Bail – $50,000.00

Anyone with information about these types of incidents is asked to call the Organized Retail Crime Task Force, at (818) 374-9420. During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (1-877-527-3247). Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call the LA Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477) or go directly to www.lacrimestoppers.org. Lastly, tipsters may also download the “P3 Tips” mobile application and select the LA Regional Crime Stoppers as their local program.