Cash, thousands of cigarettes stolen from South Bay 7-Eleven after street takeover

Robbers tore through a 7-Eleven in San Pedro during a reported street takeover, stealing thousands of dollars in products and leaving a mess in their wake.

Preliminary information indicates that a large crowd had gathered for a street takeover near the convenience store, located near the corner of Gaffey and 1 ^st streets, around 2 a.m. Saturday morning.

It was reported that the thieves stole more than 1,000 packs of cigarettes and two cash registers that had around $5,000 in cash inside before escaping.

Video from the scene obtained by KTLA shows shattered displays and shelves stripped bare of items as the store’s employees began to clean up the mess.

The store – which like all 7-Eleven locations, is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week – now has a sign on the door saying it will be closed until further notice.

According to one customer, the location was recently taken over by new owners, whom she described as “really nice.”

“They got new people there…they’re great guys and really nice,” Leilani Sepulveda told KTLA 5’s Omar Lewis . “I was [showing] my son how everything’s just thrown…how did they do it? Were they Superman?”

“How very sad, and they are losing business,” she added. “Everyone in this neighborhood goes to the donut shop and this 7-Eleven.”

Later on Saturday morning, the store owners shared surveillance footage exclusively with KTLA that showed the mob jumping over the front counter and stealing cigarettes; one of the clerks said that their family immigrated to America three years ago in search of a better life, but crimes like this have left them questioning their decision.

The crowd that gathered for the street takeover quickly dispersed by the time police arrived, and no arrests were immediately made.

It is not known exactly how many suspects were involved in the robbery.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.