Woodland Hills, CA – On August 12, 2023, a brazen smash-and-grab robbery unfolded at the Nordstrom store in Westfield Topanga Mall, located at 21725 Victory Blvd in Woodland Hills, as a mob of 30 to 50 thieves stormed the store, stole approximately $300,000 worth of luxury merchandise, and attacked security with bear spray. The chaotic daytime heist, captured on video by Royol News – Traffic News LA, injured one security guard, prompted a mall evacuation, and left shoppers shaken. The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) is actively investigating, but no arrests were immediately reported, raising concerns about escalating retail crime in Los Angeles County.
The Robbery
At approximately 4:00 p.m. on August 12, 2023, a large group of 30 to 50 suspects, many wearing hoodies and masks, swarmed the Nordstrom store at Westfield Topanga Mall. Video footage, widely shared on X showed the mob smashing glass display cases, toppling shelves, and grabbing high-end handbags, clothing, and accessories, particularly from the Bottega Veneta concession. The thieves, moving with coordinated speed, cleared out an estimated $300,000+ in merchandise within minutes, according to LAPD’s Organized Retail Crime Section.
As the suspects fled, one sprayed bear spray—a capsaicin-based irritant—on a security guard at the store’s entrance, causing respiratory and eye irritation. The guard was treated by paramedics at the scene, and an ambulance responded, though it’s unclear if hospitalization was required. The attack prompted a full evacuation of the mall, with shoppers describing chaos as security and staff directed them to exits. The suspects escaped in multiple vehicles, including a BMW, Lexus, and Honda, some with removed license plates, complicating immediate pursuit.
Investigation and Official Response
LAPD’s Topanga Division responded quickly, securing the scene and collecting evidence, including shattered glass, overturned mannequins, and dropped items with security tags. The department’s Organized Retail Crime Task Force, formed to combat such heists, is leading the investigation, with Detective Santander at (818) 374-9420 fielding tips. The LAPD reported several investigative leads, emphasizing their commitment to apprehending the suspects. “To criminals, it is just property taken. To those who live in the area and patronize the Topanga Mall, it is a loss of feeling safe,” the LAPD stated, vowing to “exhaust all efforts” for justice.
Mayor Karen Bass condemned the robbery, calling it “absolutely unacceptable” and pledging accountability for those involved. Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón echoed this, promising to hold perpetrators accountable, though no arrests were reported as of August 14, 2023. The incident’s scale drew comparisons to a similar heist days earlier at an Yves Saint Laurent store in Glendale, where 30 to 40 thieves stole $300,000 in goods, suggesting possible links to organized crime networks, though police have not confirmed a connection.
The robbery sent shockwaves through Woodland Hills, a San Fernando Valley community near your queried Chatsworth and West Hills areas. Shoppers, like witness Noel Escobar, described confusion turning to panic as the mob ransacked Nordstrom, with security converging on the scene. Royol News captured the chaos, with videos showing masked thieves darting through aisles.
The incident was not isolated. The same Nordstrom was hit in November 2021, when five suspects used bear spray and stole $25,000 in purses, leading to arrests tied to organized crime. A week prior, on August 8, 2023, Glendale’s Yves Saint Laurent store was looted, and on August 1, a Gucci store in Century City was targeted. These heists, part of a regional wave, have fueled debates about lax prosecution and Proposition 47, which reduced penalties for thefts under $950, though the $300,000 loss far exceeds that threshold.
