[h=1]There's been a surge in armed robberies in California as criminals use coronavirus face masks to hold up stores[/h]
- Armed robberies have spiked in California as criminals take advantage of the acceptance and even requirement of face masks due to the coronavirus.
- COVID-19 was the "perfect manual" for criminals, a shop owner told CBS Los Angeles."The mask, the sunshade, and a hoodie. You don't know who's coming, who's walking in," he said.
- Police said that the surge in crime could be linked to offenders who had been released from prison due to the coronavirus pandemic.
- Experts say that wearing masks anonymized people, emboldening them to criminal and deviant behavior.