PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — After receiving a tip through social media about an organized “flash rob,” officials with the Lloyd Center alerted merchants about the possibility of an event around 8 p.m. Friday

Lloyd Center General Manager Bob Dye told KOIN 6 News “occasionally we see organized activity with shoplifting, including among students,” but emphasized “the center is safe. We don’t expect any big issues.”

Dye said his team was told “the event is a ‘gang truce,’ and the ‘flash rob’ is intended to be a protest against alleged police violence.” They don’t know if the social media tip is real or a hoax, but admitted it’s “a possibility, not a probability.”

The mall remained open for business and Dye said extra security will be in place.

“We do have extra security measures in place,” he said. “I’m so confident it’ll be a great evening.”

Dye planed to be there through 9 p.m. closing time.