Watch: Masked looters hit Apple store, vandalise shops as LA protest turns chaotic

A protest over immigration raids turned chaotic Monday night in downtown Los Angeles, as masked looters stormed an Apple Store and several other businesses. Police made multiple arrests as violence broke out and stores were vandalised. The city has seen days of public protests since the Trump administration launched a series of immigration raids on Friday.

Amidst the chaos, a group of masked men broke into an Apple Store by smashing windows and stealing its products. They also painted graffiti on the building.

Videos shared online showed other stores being vandalised as well — including an Adidas store, a pharmacy, a marijuana dispensary, and a jewellery shop — where shelves had been cleared.

Officer Chris Miller from the Los Angeles Police Department said, “One woman was arrested at the scene of the Apple Store burglary.” According to NBC Los Angeles, he also confirmed that two more people have been arrested. However, authorities have not released an exact number of arrests related to the Monday night violence.

Over the weekend, police had already arrested at least 50 people during unrest. Amongst them was one individual accused of trying to use a Molotov cocktail on police officers. LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell said some protesters used commercial-grade fireworks against officers.

OFFICIALS CALL FOR CURFEW

Due to the damage and violence, the Historic Core Business Improvement District is urging the city to impose a curfew. Blair Besten, the executive director of the district, also asked for help from the National Guard to keep the area safe.

City officials and local leaders have condemned the criminal acts that followed the peaceful protest.

“Let me be clear: ANYONE who vandalised Downtown or looted stores does not care about our immigrant communities,” Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass wrote in a post on X (formerly Twitter). “You will be held accountable.”

Earlier that same day, a large group had gathered at Gloria Molina Grand Park for protest.

TRUMP WARNS PROTESTS WILL BE MET WITH ‘VERY BIG FORCE’

US President Donald Trump warned people on Tuesday against protesting at the weekend military parade in Washington marking the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary.

“For those people that want to protest, they’re going to be met with very big force,” Trump told reporters in the White House’s Oval Office.

Law enforcement agencies are preparing for hundreds of thousands of people to attend Saturday’s parade, US Secret Service Special Agent in Charge Matt McCool said on Monday.