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Trio Of Men Distract Cashier, Steal Money From Store Cash Registers

MISSION HILLS (CBSLA.com) — Police are searching for three men they call the "Stand-In-A-Wall" gang, wanted for stealing money from cash registers in businesses.

"When you see it on video, it's quite obvious," Los Angeles police Detective Samer Issa said. "Two of the suspects form a wall, like soccer players, to block a clerk's view as their accomplice steals cash."

The suspects targeted four Food 4 Less stores on Thursday in the North Hollywood, Devonshire and Norwalk areas, and they may be targeting other chain stores, Issa said.

Security video shows one man – the shortest of the trio – opening the till from a closed check-out stand, while his two taller accomplices stand shoulder-to-shoulder at an adjacent check-out stand, Issa said.

"The accomplices bought just enough merchandise to prolong their check-out and give their buddy time to get the cash," Issa said. "The till-tapper got several hundred dollars, and all three walked out together."

The shortest suspect is about 5 feet 8 inches tall; the others are about 5 feet 10 inches tall. The men are described as black, about 150 to 160 pounds, with dark hair.

Anyone with information about the case can call Issa at (818) 838-9977 or Crime Stoppers, (800) 222-TIPS (8477).

(©2015 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Wire services contributed to this report.)

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