Police in Walnut Creek alerted businesses and residents to be on alert after thieves targeted a Nordstrom store Saturday.
An estimated 80 thieves ransacked the store in Broadway Plaza about 9 p.m. Saturday, assaulting two store employees and pepper-spraying another, police said. Three suspects were arrested, but dozens fled the scene.
The police department "is actively monitoring intelligence that indicates the group of thieves who stole from the Broadway Plaza Nordstrom last night are considering similar activity later today," Walnut Creek police said in a community advisory posted about 3:30 p.m. Sunday on social media.
"This has not been confirmed, but out of an abundance of caution, we're alerting businesses and residents to be prepared," police said in the advisory.
The department called in additional officers Sunday evening.
Due to Saturday’s incident, some high-end shops like Tiffany’s closed early.
Janet Catalano and Marni Pantar were the last customers in the store as staff locked their doors.
"They're a little nervous. They are a little nervous. And I would be too if I worked retail in this area right now,” Pantar said.
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In a statement Sunday night, Walnut Creek Mayor Kevin Wilk said the city is actively working to prevent any further incidents like the one on Saturday.
Streets that were nearby the Broadway Plaza Shopping Center were blocked off.
Nordstrom’s was closed on Sunday. For shopper Frank Auguston, he said it was a bit of an inconvenience as he couldn't return a pair of shoes.
“It's such a shame that we have to worry about this. You know, you see it in San Francisco, at the Louis Vuitton on Friday night,” he said.
Bay City News contributed to the report.
