Over at Fresh Loaf, Andisheh notes and pashaws an AJC article that quotes the APD likening the blue jean bandits’ motivation for stealing $300 jeans to that man in tights, “Robin Hood”.

Ripped from the AJC…

“It’s a fashion statement, and they can sell it,” says C. Dawson, a manager at Urban Fusion, a Castleberry Hill boutique that was hit twice. “If they could steal Benz’s, they’d steal Benz’s.”

Atlanta police say the groups have a gang-like mentality that’s part greed, part Robin Hood. Descriptions of the groups usually mention an older man and several younger people in their teens or early 20s, often wearing unremarkable jeans, white T-shirts and hats or sunglasses. An older man seems to organize the groups, while younger people grab merchandise. At least one woman has been arrested, too.

They wear what they steal, and sell it to their friends and family members at reduced rates, police say. Police say large quantities of stolen merchandise leaves the metro area, but won’t say where it’s going or how it’s getting there.

Andisheh is certainly right to gaffaw.  The ol’ Robin Hood analogy isn’t quite on par.  Though these guys aren’t just stealing for profit, their other motivation isn’t exactly feeding the poor…its all in the name of fashion and image.

Is it just me, or did these heists just become even more pathetic?  And does this mean we won’t see another rash of break-ins until the fall/winter ’08 line comes out?

The article also quotes APD saying that these approximately 36 guys (can you approximate 36?) seem to be operating in three groups around the city.  16 arrests have been made thus far.