VIDEO: Mob of Teens Rob Dupont Circle Store

WASHINGTON - It's a growing threat for D.C. businesses from Georgetown to Dupont Circle - mobs of teenagers who rush in together and rush out with thousands of dollars of store merchandise.

It happened Monday at the G-Star Raw store in the 1600 block of Connecticut Avenue, NW. The store's surveillance cameras captured pictures of about 19 teenagers coming in all at once, and making a beeline for the high-end denim fashion and menswear.

Click on VIDEO #2 to see entire surveillance video

"The group that came in leisurely took their time going through the clothing, almost like they were shopping for their size, putting stuff over their arms, and then they all ran out of the store," Manager Greg Lennon says.

He says they called 911 right away, but officers didn't arrive for nearly ten minutes. By then, the teenagers and $20,000 worth of clothing were gone.

"I guess they didn't think that was a physical threat, but that many kids in such a small area, it was definitely a physical threat," Lennon says.

Commander Michael Reese says they are looking into the incident, but so far, investigators say their response time was appropriate.

"We reviewed it and what happened was the officers were canvassing the area first because it was such a large group, which is prudent in that situation," Reese says.

Lennon says the mobs are hitting stores throughout the city.

"They have numbers on their side," he says.

Commander Reese says police are stepping up patrols try to deter the flash mobs.

If you recognize any of the teens in the video, you're asked to call D.C. Police at 202-727-9099.