By Lookout Staff
July 24, 2025 -- A flash mob tore through a high-end resale store in Santa Monica last Friday fleeing with a large quantity of merchandise in multiple getaway cars, according to police.
The incident took place in the early afternoon at The RealReal Store at 200 26th Street near the Brentwood border, according to police.
Officers responded to multiple calls at around 1:30 p.m. reporting "the sound of glass breaking at the location," said Lt. Lewis Gilmour, the Police Department spokesperson.
"Responding officers arrived and determined that a group of suspects had forcibly shattered the store’s front glass door to gain entry," Gilmour said.
"Once inside, the suspects broke multiple display cases and removed a large quantity of high-end merchandise before fleeing the scene."
A video posted on Instagram Sunday shows hooded men rushing from the store into a row of vehicles parked in the adjacent alley before speeding away.
Witnesses also confirmed that several vehicles were used in the getaway, all of them with their license plates removed, according to police.
Video footage confirms that more than a dozen individuals participated in the burglary. The total loss is being assessed, but "is considered significant."
"SMPD is coordinating with regional law enforcement partners to assess any potential links to similar incidents in surrounding jurisdictions," Gilmour said, adding that the investigation remains ongoing.
The RealReal Storewas robbed in November 2023 by four masked suspects who made off with more than $50,000 worth of brand-name purses in a smash-and-grab style robbery
The suspects entered the store shortly before 11 a.m. and used hammers to smash multiple display cases, before fleeing the scene in a waiting vehicle, according to police.("Suspects Wanted in Smash-and-Grab Retail Robbery," December 5, 2023).
Less than three months later, four teenage suspects were arrested after trying to break into the store ("Four Teens Arrested for Attempting to Burglarize Store," February 13, 2024).
Anyone with information related to this incident should contact Detective Kayondo at Lawrence.Kayondo@santamonica.gov or the Watch
Commander, available 24/7, at 310-458-8427.
