An AutoZone store in East Los Angeles was targeted in two consecutive burglaries over the weekend, prompting the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department to seek 16 additional suspects. Deputies say the store, on the 1130 block of South Atlantic Boulevard, was forcibly entered around 3:30 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 9, after a similar break-in and theft the previous day.
The first incident happened at about 2:22 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 8, when a group of about 10 people smashed a glass door and rushed into the store, causing major losses. Investigators believe both incidents were tied to a street takeover near Olympic and Atlantic boulevards, where people gathered to watch illegal car stunts before some moved on to loot the business.
Authorities said similar break-ins and thefts also hit other AutoZone stores in the Los Angeles area that weekend, including in Watts, Downey and Long Beach. The sheriff’s department released CCTV images of the suspects and asked residents to provide any information that could help identify them.
