A CVS has been plundered after a group of people caused chaos, including throwing a bottle at the store’s security.
Screaming can be heard as people ran through the store stealing items off the shelves of a crowded CVS on Tuesday in Navy Yard, DC.
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Chaos ensured as people congregated by the self-checkout machines, according to videos posted by Dan Laing (@DanLaingSXM) on X, formerly known as Twitter.
It appeared that employees tried to control the situation, but people continued to yell and exit the store with stolen merchandise in large groups.
There were also two security guards at the store during the incident but were seen exiting.
“Love Washington BUT am super frustrated as a resident of Navy Yard. Went to @cvspharmacy just now & it was ransacked,” the X user wrote alongside the video.
“Employees were great. No confidence in @MayorBowser to fix this. @wmata said they wanted the video @DCPoliceDept had already left the scene. Pathetic.”
Washington DC’s Attorney General, Brian Schwalb, commented on the theft the following day, noting that there was another crime committed at the National Mall.
“This behavior is unacceptable and disturbing,” he wrote in a statement posted to X.
“Every District resident, visitor, employee, and business deserves to feel safe in our city, Incidents like these can have far-reaching, negative impacts on victims and communities at large.
“Swift and certain consequences are critical in deterring crime. My office will continue to hold young people accountable through the justice system when they break the law and ensure they face consequences when they cause harm.”
The DC Police Department released pictures of four suspects on Wednesday.
“On Tuesday, April 16, 2024, at approximately 8:45 p.m., the suspects were inside a CVS and took items without paying. When they were confronted by a security guard one of the suspects threw a bottle, missing the security guard,” they wrote.
In the second video posted by the X user, the bottle can be seen flying by the person who is filming the theft.
On Thursday, police updated the pictures of suspects adding another 16 people, making the total 20.
Police have asked anyone who knows the suspects or information about the incident to call police at (202) 727-9099 or text your tip 50411.
This behavior is unacceptable and disturbing.
Brian Schwalb
The department also offers a reward of up to $1,000 to anyone who provides information that leads to the arrest of people responsible for a crime committed in DC.
CONSTANT THEFT
A CVS worker in California has expressed that theft happens so often that they are told to let thieves go due to safety concerns.
She said the “police don’t respond anyway because it’s not over $950.”
The punishments for thefts under $950 in Sacramento, California can include up to six months in county jail.
The policy, Proposition 47, was passed by voters in 2014, making thefts under $950 a misdemeanor.
Many CVS locations have closed or expect to close this year due to crime.
CVS told The U.S. Sun that they were working with police as they investigated the incident.
They confirmed that no customers or employees were hurt.
“The safety of our colleagues, customers and patients is our top priority and we’re committed to ensuring we have the products they need in our stores,” they wrote.
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