I expect to see the incidence of youth populated, mayhem driven flash mobs to increase as we approach the summer. With the left glorifying the revolutions in the middle east and the out of control union protests here young people are getting the message that law and order is no longer something people expect any more. This is a dangerous trend

From CBS Chicago:

CHICAGO (CBS) – Stores on the Mag Mile are on alert after several thefts involving flash mobs. In each case, a group of teens create a disturbance, steal items and then run from the stores.

CBS 2′s Suzanne Le Mignot reports in the past several weeks, there have been at least three incidents on Michigan Avenue. Sources tell CBS 2 the teens involved are between 17 and 13 years old.

Apparently they’ve been Tweeting each other. They pick a spot to meet and then go as groups to carry out their crimes. It’s all part of a growing phenomenon.

You can see mob robbery videos on YouTube. In one tape, 50 teens are seen entering a St. Paul, Minnesota convenience store. Within minutes they take whatever they want and leave. The same thing has been happening in Chicago along the Magnificent Mile. Sources said Filene’s Basement, The North Face store and Express have all been recent targets by these flash mobs.

“Just see kids, random kids running out of stores,” said witness Miralem Mahmatovic.

Mahmatovic said it’s been obvious the teens seen running, have had merchandise with them. He said he has seen a teen theft mob in action. “We had a cop from Express chase down a kid here once, just chased her, caught her down at the corner, so we’ve seen it a couple of times.”

At Express, sources said 11 teens stormed through the doors knocking over merchandise and alarming customers. Security tried to lock the doors and when police caught the teens, they also had merchandise with them from other stores.

Greater North Michigan Avenue Association President and CEO John Chikow said he organized a meeting Tuesday with law enforcement and representatives from about 70 stores along the Mag Mile. “The police gave a briefing as to what their current activities are. I think there’s a stronger commitment on the part of the businesses to call when there are problems because they’re seeing the police are responding very quickly,” Chikow said.

At Filene’s, teens ran onto the sales floor, grabbed items then ran out. At The North Face, they entered screaming and yelling, knocking over displays and grabbing clothes worth close to $3,000.

From CBS Philly:

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – Police say five teenagers are in custody after a flash mob gathered at Liberty Place in Center City Wednesday evening.

It all started about 5:30 in the area of 15th and Chestnut Streets. Central Detectives received a radio call of a large flash mob in the street. Arriving officers found 30-to-40 teens in the street weaving in and out of traffic, and pushing pedestrians on the sidewalk.

The group of teens then entered Liberty Place, knocking over promotion signs outside of stores, and then went into the food court and began flipping tables. Police say all the activity inside was caught on surveillance video.

The flash mob then exited Liberty Place on the Walnut Street side, where some of them were apprehended by police.

The teens in custody are charged with rioting, conspiracy, criminal mischief, reckless endangerment, and disorderly conduct.

All of the defendants deny knowing the others involved. Police say all five teens attend different high schools in Philadelphia.

That last part is very disturbing. Crimes are being organized online by strangers whose only connection is Internet access and a desire to hurt people and steal. It’s a bad time to own a store in a big city.