Young marauders hit Hollywood, at least 14 detained *

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The LAPD called in reinforcements from other divisions Tuesday night to deal with at least 40 youths who swarmed the streets in packs, robbing and assaulting the locals and tourists. At least 14 suspects were arrested but many of those believed responsible for the attacks remained at large. The LA Times story says the wilding did not seem related to the protests over Trayvon Martin's killing and George Zimmerman's acquittal that occurred elsewhere in the city since Saturday. From the Times story:

Incident commander Dennis Kato said police were inundated with phone calls beginning about 9 p.m., reporting that packs of young people were roaming along Hollywood and attacking people. Public information officer Rosario Herrera said at least one of the attacks was near Hollywood and Highland.

The robbers knocked down tourists and grabbed their phones, Kato said. In at least one incident, they hauled off a cash register from a business. There were no reports of weapons involved in the attacks.

As many as 40 robbers were believed to be involved in the attacks. Kato said the robbers splintered into smaller groups of 10 to 15 people and spread through the area, regrouping at times.

Police say the attackers appeared to be an organized group who knew one another. Officers swarmed the Hollywood area as helicopters for both police and news media circled.

More than 110 officers were brought in from other LAPD divisions to track down the robbers, Kato said, pitting police against the attackers in a massive cat-and-mouse game around Hollywood. Dozens of officers awaited orders at Wilton Place and Monroe Street.

The LA Weekly's Dennis Romero posted a video clip of a swarm of boys and girls running along Hollywood boulevard, knocking over wares in front of tourist shops. From Romero's blog story:

That son of a store owner, who, like other witnesses we talked to, did not want to be identified for of retribution, said a group of of more than 30 came to the front of his t-shirt shop and grabbed all the merchandise they could get their hands on and ran off to hit other nearby shops.

Four mannequins were toppled at the shop and postcards were also taken, the son said.

When he gave chase and tried to grab some shirts back from a teenager, he was pummeled by that suspect, he said. "I tried to defend myself," he shrugged....

A worker at the t-shirt store said at least one of the marauders was wearing a Guy Fawkes mask. He added that many of the teens, mostly boys, had backpacks and skateboards.

A t-shirt shop down the street saw much the same -- grabbing of goods and smashing of a shelf holding fake, souvenir Oscar statues, the owner there told us. A worker there was also attacked by teens, he said.

* Morning update: Revised by LAPD to 12 arrested.

Photo from Hollywood: LA Weekly