Back Bay—Boston’s most prestigious shopping district descended into chaos Wednesday evening as a fast-moving shoplifting crime wave ripped through multiple stores in less than an hour. What unfolded was a rapid breakdown of order across Boylston and Newbury, with Lululemon hit twice in 40 minutes before a North Face thief struck minutes later.

The spree began around 5:00 p.m. when three juvenile males were spotted stuffing merchandise at Lululemon before slipping into the adjacent Alo store. Officers on a shoplifting detail moved in fast, detaining two suspects on the spot while a third bolted into the Prudential Center. Security tracked him down moments later, and stolen items were recovered.

Before police could finish the first report, the same Lululemon was hit again. At 5:40 p.m., two juvenile females were seen stealing from the store, with a ripped-off security device found on the fitting-room floor. Officers stopped the pair as they exited and discovered merchandise from several stores stuffed in their bags. Both were summonsed on multiple charges, including larceny, shoplifting by concealment, and conspiracy.

Minutes later, trouble moved to Newbury Street. Around 6:00 p.m., a detective posted at The North Face saw a man slip into a fresh pair of slippers, bag his own shoes, grab extra merch, and attempt to walk out without paying. Police identified him as 43-year-old Anthony Craan of Brooklyn, who was arrested on the spot and charged with larceny, receiving stolen property, and giving false identification.

Six suspects in one hour — five juveniles and one adult — all tied to a burst of thefts that turned Back Bay’s luxury corridor into a lawless free-for-all. Tags ripped off. Bags loaded. Thieves hopping store to store as officers scrambled to keep up.

The message for retailers is unmistakable: even Boston’s wealthiest district isn’t safe from the city’s growing shoplifting crisis.