Where was store security and don't they check 'customers' at the entrance due to coronavirus related in-store capacity mandates?

While the stolen merchandise can easily be remunerated by theft insurance, this incident could have easily been prevented.

On the other hand, this theft is probably predicated on black market merchandising opportunities that cater to the whims of countless women who feel the dire need to superficially express themselves by flashing expensive, designer label handbags when out in public.

A Thorstein Veblen nightmare.

Flashing a designer handbag to go shopping is both superfluous and shallow but very popular among those who embrace conspicuous consumption and enjoy putting on airs.

I still use a small backpack and would even resort to carrying an old pillowcase but fear it might become a trendy expression like wearing expensive ripped jeans.

Poverty fashion-related imagery is hip among those who are not actually poor and wealthy fashion-related imagery is important to people who are not actually wealthy.

Ironic eh? Just like white upper middle class women (pseudo hippies) wearing designer gypsy fashion wear during the 1960s.

You would think these crimes would be preventable, but sometimes you have to think outside of the box. They're more concerned about liability, and rightfully so.

Criminals gonna criminal...

Please do not use the word "steal" because it was not. The correct word is "robbery"

Thieves and their potential customers enjoy owning nice things just as much as others do.

It is bred into our materialistic consumer mindset.

Remove the designer label allure and these types of crimes will subside.

Good luck with that as ego and narcissism is a part of human nature.

Do not fault the perpetrators...they are simply fulfilling a modern societal NEED.

When I was attending college, I worked in retail part-time. The company has had a policy if someone comes in to rob the place-let them. The people robbing the store have little if any value in your life. This is brought on for one simple reason, if and when they are caught the DA will do nothing. The people will get away with a little hand slap, and the consumer will pay. Theft is something that consumers have to pay for because the DA's around the country do nothing today.

Walgreen's has had to close 17 stores in San Francisco because of organized groups of shoplifters and CVS 8 or 12. Web Link

Having worked in retail myself, it is not worth risking life and limb to try and apprehend a potentially violent shoplifter.

Insurance covers the loss and the corporate owners could care less about the welfare of their employees.

There is no point in winding up in the ER over a minimum wage job.

Just let the thrives steal as it is up to the security guards and police to control these endeavors. That's what they are getting paid to do

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Sad to see that several posters seem to blame society and not the actions of 10 individuals . Although that doesn't surprise me in the liberal paradise of Palo Alto. I have a solution to stop these acts, let's defund the cops!! that will work I've been told.

These handbags are expensive! I wonder how big they are? 43 handbags with 6 thieves is an average of 7 for each to carry. Makes it seem very easy pickings.

It is too easy for thieves to steal and get away with it. Even if they are caught, they will get little punishment. Even if the bags are retrieved, they will no longer be in condition to be sold because even if I was in the market for buying such an expensive item, or even wanted one, I definitely would not want recovered stolen goods. They are lost to the store and as others have said, insurance will cover the loss. Unfortunately, c'est la vie.

Well, at least they wore their masks! Imagine our local health officials will applaud that.

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