“Flash robs” on the rise in Ottawa
Posted Aug 3, 2011 10:04:06 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Police have a stern warning for any area youth planning on taking part in the latest trend known as “flash robs.”
They aren’t a prank and it’s a very serious crime.
“Flash robs” take place when a group of youths gather, usually not even knowing one another, and loot a local business while causing as much damage as possible.
The “flash robs”stem from the “flash mobs” where groups of people gather to take part in a coordinated action, like singing or dancing at a certain time, all in an effort to surprise people unaware of what’s taking place.
In the past few weeks in Ottawa there have been two “flash robs.”
On July 16th, a group of about 40 young men stormed into the Quickie store at Parkdale Avenue and Scott Street, the following week another group robbed the Independent Grocer in Alta Vista.
Police are looking into the incidents and they don’t believe they are connected.
Most people in the city have heard about the new crime trend, Cindy is one of them.
“It’s really not a surprise, it’s everywhere,” she explained. “You see it in the news and I think Facebook is just another way to get these things going.”
She says while it doesn’t worry her in particular, it is upsetting to hear how social networking sites are being used.
“I think its sad, its sad,” she added.
