Shoplifting mobs have stormed behind the counter of a Loop convenience store not once, not twice, not three times, but at least four times over the past month, hauling away booze, cigarettes, and lottery tickets each time. Three of the raids occurred in the past week. And it was all caught on video.
We initially prepared this story on Sunday night to be published Monday morning. But by the time we got to work Monday, the store had been hit again. This time, we’re told, the store clerks blasted at least some of the thieves with pepper spray. We hope to get videos of that soon.
The thefts have been happening at 7-Eleven, 58 East Lake. Watch:
The first was at 1:15 a.m. on June 4. But the mobs returned on June 28, July 1, and again around 10:15 Sunday night.
Videos show that someone usually holds the store’s front door open as a string of shoplifters, often wearing ski masks, rolls in. The store employees can do little but stand back and hope nobody gets hurt.
Some of the thieves, like the guy in the red basketball jersey and the one wearing a black Puma shirt, wore the same outfits on two different nights, a source said.
Exterior footage shows people lingering outside the store, waiting for people to emerge with booze, smokes, and other goodies.
As of Monday morning, no arrests had been made.
