Much of what I see in the news appear to be 'flash robs', largely fueled and enabled by the combination of telecommunications advances (relatively new), and lowlifes (which have always been with us). These are often technologically-enabled lowlife scum you're seeing. They can communicate as never before.
I spent >25 years in communications technology, but don't blame me. Often technology advances serve the interests of such lowlifes, but also the rest of us. Very few things with 'upsides' are without 'downsides' (unfortunately). We cannot, however be limited by the 'lowest common denominator' or we'd never advance, although such downsides should perhaps be anticipated, considered, and mitigated better to the degree possible (if any).
I'm very glad I'm not in retail. The 'costs of doing business' are rapidly rising. I visit retail locations only infrequently now, largely fueled by 'viruses', but I may be benefiting in other ways from that shift in my behavior.
Yeah, what you're seeing in the news is very real (although it is subject to being either emphasized or downplayed), but does tend to be concentrated in particular locales; but I won't 'go there' - I don't think I need to, as the stats do an adequate job of that. I'm fortunate not to live in such a locale (yet), but it's likely destined to spread.