Maybe they were confused about the meaning of Independence Day, having heard some mention of the fact that the nation was celebrating its liberation from a tyrannical power. Or maybe they have been hearing the term reparations bandied about lately among Democratic presidential hopefuls, and figured this was as good a time as any to get the ball rolling.
Whatever the explanation, a virtual sea of teens washed over a Philadelphia Walgreens on July 4, smashing and grabbing whatever they could lay their hands on before beating a hasty retreat.
Philadelphia police have released surveillance video of the robbery, which looks almost surreal.
Will this presidential election be the most important in American history?
LOOTING ON SOUTH STREET: Philadelphia police have released surveillance video showing a group of teenagers looting a Walgreens pharmacy on July 4. @DannCuellar will have more tonight at 11. https://t.co/kPZJzF1V8T pic.twitter.com/oQnyDCPxpi
— Action News on 6abc (@6abc) July 9, 2019
According to Philly ABC affiliate WPVI, employees were injured in the melee:
Captain Sekou Kinebrew of the Philadelphia Police Department told reporters after the incident that a cashier attempted to intervene and he was hit in a head with a glass bottle.
Kinebrew places the combined monetary costs resulting from theft and property damage at between $6,000 and $7,000.
The article quotes City Councilman Kenyatta Johnson, who represents the area, as saying:
I think it was totally unacceptable behavior. I think the young people who are involved and everything that took place inside the store should be held accountable. Most importantly, their parents should be held accountable.
Maybe Johnson hasn’t seen the videos, but good luck identifying the individuals responsible.
