LEIMERT PARK, Calif.—A 19-year-old man was behind bars on June 21 for allegedly being part of a mob that swarmed a Leimert Park McDonald’s restaurant in Los Angeles on June 20, vandalized the eatery and stole cash drawers from the registers—a crime that was caught on video and posted on social media.
The large crowd of people took over the fast-food branch in the 4300 block of Crenshaw Boulevard at around 7:45 p.m. Monday, according to the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD). Members of the group began yelling and threatening employees, police said.
The chaos escalated as one male suspect pushed a dessert display off the counter, causing it to shatter, police said. Three male suspects then vaulted the restaurant’s front counter and attempted to remove cash registers. At least two registers were successfully removed and taken from the restaurant, police said.
Kenneth Fowler of Lomita was taken into custody and initially booked on suspicion of receiving stolen property, although police said he was later identified as one of the people who jumped the McDonald’s counter and took one of the cash drawers. He was jailed without bail, according to Los Angeles County Sheriff’s inmate records.
A second suspect, identified only as a juvenile, was also arrested and booked on suspicion of robbery but later released into the custody of his parents, police said. He was observed removing one of the cash registers during the alleged robbery, police said.
An investigation into the mob takeover of the restaurant was continuing. Anyone with information was urged to contact the LAPD Southwest Area Detectives at 213-485-2561. Tipsters who choose to remain anonymous can contact Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477.
