The long-term multiunit investigation identified and arrested six men who allegedly worked in concert between October 2021 and January 2022 to commit smash-and-grab thefts in San Jose.

Changes in hours and security were being discussed by major retailers across the Bay Area as the looting attacks cast a grim shadow on Thanksgiving shopping for thousands of stores and their customers.

Police are investigating whether the theft is connected to similar thefts at Stanford Shopping Center in Palo Alto. More than $150,000 in handbags were taken from the Neiman Marcus store on May 19 and $100,000 in handbags from the Louis Vuitton store on June 7.

Witnesses said a group of 11, described as males and females in their late teens to early 20s,  rushed into the store, grabbed 36 handbags, then ran through the mall and fled in five vehicles.