SAN JOSE — A group of 6 to 8 males attempted to rob Macy’s at Oakridge Mall Saturday night, assaulting a female employee before fleeing the store.
The group was confronted by store security, and fled before San Jose police arrived at the mall around 6 p.m., according to a police statement. The female employee was injured in the melee.
A woman and a teenage boy were detained outside the store for interfering with the arrest of the fleeing suspects, police said. It is unknown if woman and the boy were related to the group of would-be robbers.
Bay Area retailers have been hit by a rash of mob attacks, sometimes in groups numbering close to 100 perpetrators. High-profile criminal raids have struck San Jose, Walnut Creek, Oakland and San Francisco, among other cities. Police believe the crimes are orchestrated on social media, with groups striking quickly with smash-and-grab tactics and tools.
Oakridge Mall retailers met with San Jose police before Black Friday, looking for better ways to protect shoppers and stores.
Retailers have added extra security, cut hours and, in some cases, closed their doors. Gov. Gavin Newsom last month ordered additional patrols by California Highway Patrol around retailers during the holiday season.
Source: www.mercurynews.com