A burglary spree is sweeping across Los Angeles, with thieves targeting some of the city’s wealthiest neighborhoods and hitting several communities in the past week — even as police flood the area with patrols.
The latest incidents emerged Wednesday night in the San Fernando Valley, where burglars hit homes in Studio City and Toluca Lake and targeted commercial property in separate burglaries that led to a police chase.
Violence escalated Thursday night after a 70-year-old woman was strangled during a home invasion in the Hollywood Hills, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. At least two masked suspects fled with cash and jewelry and remain at large.
Those break-ins are the latest in a pattern that began around April 10, with similar crimes reported in Sherman Oaks, Encino, North Hollywood and surrounding communities, in some cases with homes hit within minutes of each other.
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Former LAPD investigator Moses Castillo said the scope and speed of the crimes indicate a sweeping change in how thieves are operating.
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“We used to think high-end neighborhoods were crime-free … that’s not the case anymore,” Castillo told Fox News Digital. “You’re not safe anywhere anymore, especially in affluent areas.”
“These criminals aren’t looking at zip codes — they’re looking at opportunity.”
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Castillo said the pattern suggests that many of these burglars are strategic, often researching homes and victims beforehand.
“They’re doing their homework — tracking patterns, seeing when people are home or away,” he said.
That preparation, Castillo said, can be started online.
“If you’re posting your valuables, your lifestyle … you’re making yourself a target,” Castillo warned. “If you can find your information online, so can they.”
He added that some crews use lookouts and real-time communication to move quickly and avoid police detection.
The pattern of burglaries in many neighborhoods may reflect how suspects adapt when enforcement is intensified.
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“These crime waves last as long as the suspects are out there,” Castillo said. “If an area gets too hot, they just move to the next neighborhood.”
That dynamic may help explain why communities across the Valley continue to see break-ins despite increased patrols.
For victims, the impact goes far beyond stolen property.
“People describe it as ‘house rape’ — the complete violation of their home,” Castillo said. “It’s not just what was taken. It’s that someone invaded your sanctuary.”
He said many victims struggle to feel safe again after a break-in, with some choosing to leave their homes altogether.
Castillo warned that the danger increases if homeowners encounter suspects during a burglary.
“If you get in during a burglary, you can be a victim of violence,” Castillo said. “These crimes can escalate – home invasions, assaults, even kidnappings.”
He also described incidents in which the suspects used a trick to get the victims to open the door.
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“They’ll do a trick … knock on the door, get you to open it and then it’s over,” he said.
The LAPD has increased patrols, deployed air support and license plate readers, and expanded coordination among units in response to the spike.
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“The safety of every Angeleno is my number one priority,” said LA Mayor Karen Bass.
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Mayor Karen Bass said the city is taking a zero-tolerance approach.
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“The safety of every Angeleno is my number one priority,” Bass said. “The city has zero tolerance for these recent thefts.”
But despite the increased presence, break-ins continue, leaving residents on edge.
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Castillo said enforcement alone will not be enough to stop Holly.
“The police can’t do it alone, it takes the community,” he said. “If you see something, if you’re not sure, call it. That could be the break that blows the case wide open.”
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As it spreads in many communities, Castillo said homeowners should take extra precautions.
“Don’t just rely on cameras or basic alarm systems,” he warned, warning that some thieves could cut off the power and compromise them. “Be careful.”
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He urged residents to be careful about what they share publicly.
“Sometimes we are our own worst enemies,” Castillo said. “Whatever you can find about yourself online, they can find.”
Original article source: Masked robbery gangs terrorizing ritzy neighborhoods show ‘they’re doing their homework,’ warns veteran cop
