Police are warning West Los Angeles residents to stay alert as they investigate an organized burglary crew using Wi-Fi jammers and advanced tactics to steal valuables from upscale homes. The LAPD has issued a community alert for areas including Bel Air, Holmby Hills, and Pacific Palisades following a recent home invasion in Sherman Oaks where a nanny was held at gunpoint.
Matt Epstein, president of the Sherman Oaks Homeowners Association, highlighted the increasing frequency of these crimes, criticizing the current district attorney for failing to prosecute offenders effectively.
In the Sherman Oaks incident, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office reports that three suspects, aged 21 to 24, allegedly stole luxury handbags and jewelry from a home before fleeing to Compton, where they broke into additional homes to evade police. They have been arrested and face bail from $225,000 to $2 million on charges of home invasion robbery and burglary.
District Attorney George Gascón emphasized the disturbing nature of such crimes, affirming the office’s commitment to holding offenders accountable. LAPD interim Chief Dominic Choi also assured that efforts to address residential burglaries in affected areas like Encino and West Los Angeles will continue, noting that the investigation into a group of masked males targeting seemingly vacant homes is ongoing.
The community alert reveals that suspects are using ladders or drain pipes to access second-story master bedrooms, where they steal valuables like jewelry, watches, high-end purses, and cash. They carry Wi-Fi jammers to disable security cameras and use handheld radios to coordinate with getaway vehicles.
Residents are advised to report any suspicious activity and consider installing sliding glass doors with alarms, bolting down safes, and equipping them with GPS tracking devices, according to the Santa Monica Mirror.
Bill Daly, a former FBI investigator, advised property owners to enhance home security by keeping lights and TVs on and partially drawing curtains to create the impression of activity. He also suggested leaving an extra vehicle visible outside rather than in the garage to make it appear that someone is home.
LAPD detectives handling the West Los Angeles burglary cases did not respond to requests for comment. Last week, police arrested 43-year-old Jose Agarde Lopez in Cheviot Hills after he used a key from a construction lock box to attempt a burglary. Lopez had been previously arrested 11 times for similar offenses.
The burglaries coincide with recent incidents in the Los Angeles Fashion District, where over a dozen businesses were targeted by thieves who broke through walls to access multiple locations. In response, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office has established a new hotline for tips related to residential burglaries, encouraging the public to report any relevant information.
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