Trump tells Democrats take 'immediate' action on smash and grabs, says call in National Guard

President Trump on Tuesday called on Democrats to take action to "immediately" stop the smash-and-grab robberies occurring in cities across the county including the activation of the National Guard.

An uptick in such crimes, in which robbers storm into stores and quickly flee with merchandise, have been reported in recent weeks include a spree on Black Friday in the California cities of Lakewood, Los Angeles and Monterey. Four people have reportedly been arrested in the Home Depot robbery in Lakewood.

"If Democrats don't immediately stop smash-and-grab robberies, which are taking place in their cities, the National Guard must be called out," Trump said in a statement. 

In Monterey, $30,000 worth of sunglasses were taken by four people who robbed a Sunglass Hut store on Friday afternoon, according to news reports.

Police in Chicago reported four smash-and-grab robberies took place early Thursday morning and early Friday morning at a Canada Goose, Foot Locker, North Face and a cell phone store.

And Best Buy in Burnsville, Minnesota, was also robbed during Black Friday, with a group of between 20 and 30 people hauling off electronics and other goods, according to The Hill newspaper.

"There has never been such a thing that has happened in our country," Trump also said. "Large numbers of stores are leaving San Francisco and other cities. Some chains are closing most of their stores, it is all not even believable."

Earlier this month, high-end retail stores in the San Francisco area including Burberry and Louis Vuitton were robbed and vandalized.