Sam Mardaie, owner of the ransacked gas station, expressed his frustration over the crime crisis in the Bay Area and criticized the police's delayed response, which he claims took hours.
Oakland, California, gas station owner Sam Mardaie is reeling from the aftermath of a devastating flash mob robbery that ransacked his business, leaving behind approximately $100,000 worth of damage. The incident, captured on camera, has left Mardaie questioning the safety of his community and criticizing the police's delayed response.
"My aunts, my uncles, were talking about [how] the U.S. is the place to be, and then you turn out to this and see something like this happen, and it's scary. It just shouldn't be happening," Mardaie, a Yemeni immigrant, told Fox News.
Oakland Gas Station Owner Outraged After Flash Mob Ransacks Business, Blames Police Inaction
According to Mardaie, anywhere between 80 and 100 individuals stormed the gas station after attending a nearby car sideshow on Friday night. They shattered displays, ripped shelves apart, and stole everything they could grab, including $25,000 from the cash register. The incident unfolded within an hour, destroying months of hard work and investment.
Mardaie claims that he immediately called the police for assistance but was met with an unacceptable delay. "We had no response from them," he said. "Not even an apology [for] not even showing up, not even having the courtesy to show up even. I would understand if they came in an hour or two hours later after the incident, but not until 2:30. That's the time they showed up."
Oakland Gas Station Owner Outraged After Flash Mob Ransacks Business, Blames Police Inaction
According to the New York Post, police initially ranked the crime as a Priority 2, meaning no suspects were on scene and that the crime could be reported online. After video of the incident was sent in to local police, they ranked the crime as a Priority 1 and sent an officer to the scene.
Local law enforcement told FOX 2 that they were responding to a sideshow at the nearby airport, but Mardaie argues that this response time is unacceptable. "I don't know how many officers were working that night, but there's no excuse for taking nine hours to respond to an incident like this," he said.
Oakland Gas Station Owner Outraged After Flash Mob Ransacks Business, Blames Police Inaction
The flash mob robbery has left Mardaie feeling vulnerable and questioning the safety of his neighborhood. "I'm scared for my employees, I'm scared for my customers, and I'm scared for myself," he said. "I don't know what to do anymore. I'm thinking about closing down the business and moving out of this area."
The incident is part of a broader pattern of crime in the Bay Area, which has become increasingly prevalent in recent years. Business owners and residents alike have voiced concerns over the alarming rise in robberies, burglaries, and other criminal activities. Many feel that they must be extra vigilant in order to protect themselves and their property.
Oakland Gas Station Owner Outraged After Flash Mob Ransacks Business, Blames Police Inaction
As Mardaie prepares to meet with the local chief of police, he hopes for an explanation and a commitment to increased safety measures. "I want to know why this happened and what they're going to do about it," he said. "I don't want to see this happen to anyone else."
Fox News' Brie Stimson contributed to this report.
Oakland Gas Station Owner Outraged After Flash Mob Ransacks Business, Blames Police Inaction
