Three Arrested Following 'Organized Theft' at Department Store in California

Three people were arrested on November 21 following what police described as an “organized theft” at a Nordstrom store in Walnut Creek, California, on November 20.

In a statement issued on Sunday, Walnut Creek Police Department said it was “investigating what was clearly a planned event” that involved as many as 80 people entering the department store and “stealing merchandise.”

“Two employees were assaulted and one was pepper sprayed by the suspects,” police said, adding that one of suspects arrested was in possession of a firearm.

This footage by Victor Escobedo shows a large number of people rushing out of the Nordstrom store and dispersing, with some getting into vehicle parked on an adjacent street. Credit: Victor Escobedo via Storyful