Teen Mob Terrorizes McDonald's Workers; 2 Arrested

LOS ANGELES, CA — Police on Wednesday announced two arrests in connection with a teen mob-scene robbery at a South Los Angeles McDonald's restaurant Monday.

Los Angeles police arrested one juvenile and one adult on suspicion of robbery at the fast-food restaurant in the 4300 block of Crenshaw Boulevard.

Video from the scene circulating on social media showed McDonald's workers being terrorized by youths throwing food, shattering a dessert display cases and breaking into at least one cash register. Now, detectives are using the video to help identify suspects.

What appears to be a spontaneous riot broke out at about 7:45 p.m. Monday, according to police.

"The large mob-style group began yelling and displaying threatening behavior towards employees of the restaurant," the Los Angeles Police Department said in a written statement.
"The mob's behavior escalated when several males began throwing items at restaurant employees. Another male pushed the dessert display off the counter, causing it to shatter. Three males vaulted the front counter and immediately attempted to remove the restaurant’s cash drawers. Two cash drawers were removed and taken."

Video from outside the restaurant showed one teen slamming a register drawer open, and a mob of youths dove for the loose change.

Officers arrived on the scene to find the mob. They arrested one person at the time on suspicion of receiving stolen property because they could not connect him specifically to the theft.

"Due to the violent nature of the large group, the arrestee was removed from the location along with law enforcement," according to the LAPD.

Detectives began investigating, viewing social media posts, and obtaining surveillance video that showed force and fear used to steal the cash drawers as well as the smashing and theft of the enclosed currency by multiple people, according to the LAPD.

Officers determined that one of the youths seen on video jumping over the county and removing the cash register was the same person detained on suspicion of receiving stolen property.

He was identified as Kenneth Fowler, a 19-year-old resident of Lomita, according to the LAPD.

A juvenile identified in the video was later arrested and booked on suspicion of robbery and released.

Detectives urged anyone in the community who can identify members of the mod to call the LAPD at (213) 485-2561. Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call the LA Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477) or go directly to www.lacrimestoppers.org.