Bellflower family store ransacked during street takeover, suffering $30,000 in damages

# Bellflower Liquor Store Ransacked During Street Takeover, Suffering $30,000 in Damage

A family-owned liquor store in Bellflower, California, was ransacked by a large group during a street takeover early Saturday, leaving the business with an estimated $30,000 in property damage along with stolen merchandise. The incident occurred around 3:30 a.m. near Bellflower Boulevard and Somerset Boulevard, where more than 100 vehicles had reportedly gathered for the street takeover. According to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, approximately 30 to 40 unidentified people entered A-Z Market and looted the store. Security footage reportedly showed masked individuals targeting the business after damaging exterior security cameras. The suspects initially attempted to cut through the store’s deadbolt using a power tool, but the effort was unsuccessful. They then smashed a window and cut through additional locks to gain entry. Once inside, the group reportedly moved quickly through the store, taking merchandise from shelves and damaging several parts of the business. Counters, refrigerators and a lottery machine were among the property reportedly damaged during the break-in. Store owners said the estimated $30,000 in damage does not include the value of the merchandise that was stolen. Nathan Abdullatif, a co-owner of A-Z Market, described the incident as devastating for the family, which has spent years building the business. The owners said they received an alert from the store’s alarm system after activity was detected outside the property. They contacted law enforcement, but the suspects had already left by the time deputies arrived at the scene. Authorities said the looting lasted roughly two minutes before the group exited the store and disappeared into the larger crowd attending the street takeover. Deputies issued several citations related to the street takeover, but authorities had not connected any individuals to the burglary as of Tuesday. The incident has raised concerns about the risks businesses face when large street takeovers attract crowds and create chaotic conditions. Street takeovers, which often involve large gatherings of vehicles and spectators, have previously been associated with property damage and other criminal activity in parts of the Los Angeles area. For the owners of A-Z Market, the financial loss is accompanied by the emotional impact of seeing years of work damaged in minutes. The family has launched a GoFundMe campaign to help pay for repairs and recover some of the losses caused by the burglary. The incident also underscores the vulnerability of small, family-owned businesses when large public gatherings develop outside their premises. While authorities continue investigating the burglary, the store owners are left facing the difficult task of repairing the property and rebuilding after the sudden attack. The case has renewed attention on the broader impact that uncontrolled street takeovers can have on surrounding businesses, residents and local communities.