A Lake Balboa family returned home to find their house trashed and approximately $25,000 in valuables stolen in the latest incident in a string of burglaries across the San Fernando Valley. Police are investigating amid increased patrols announced by Mayor Karen Bass.
A Lake Balboa family arrived home Saturday evening to find their glass back door smashed and thousands of dollars in valuables gone.
Police said the suspects broke into the home in the 7000 block of Shoshane Avenue around 10 p.m. Friday while residents were away. They stole approximately $15,000 worth of jewelry and another $10,000 in miscellaneous items.
The homeowner told NBC Los Angeles he returned with his wife and baby after work. He opened the door and found it unlocked.
I told my wife, Get in the car. I got in the car with her. We were just really freaked out. We didn't even want to go inside and check it out until the police came.
Security cameras did not capture the incident. The homeowner said police believe the suspects most likely shut off the WiFi before entering.
Joey Licata, a Lake Balboa resident, said the break-in is part of a troubling pattern over the past several weeks.
There's this one, there was one a couple blocks down, then a few blocks after that. It's all really shocking and it really makes you be very well-aware of your surroundings and who's hanging around that shouldn't be and things like that.
Licata said neighbors have responded by forming an informal neighborhood watch as safety concerns grow.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass announced increased police patrols on April 17 to address the crime wave. Since that announcement, there have been at least five burglaries reported in the San Fernando Valley.
The Los Angeles Times reported nine break-ins in a 10-day period across the Valley, with some incidents occurring just minutes apart. The first known incident occurred April 10 in Sherman Oaks.
Police Chief Jim McDonnell described the burglaries as the work of sophisticated, organized crews, some of which may be international.
These are sophisticated, organized crews, some of which are international. Cases like these require patience, time and, frequently, extensive follow-up.
McDonnell said the crews have encountered gang groups from South Los Angeles and crews of South American nationals. The burglars typically target high-end purses, safes not connected to floors, cash, guns, and items that can be sold quickly.
Common tactics include:
In addition to high-visibility patrols and air support, the LAPD is deploying:
McDonnell noted that burglaries in the Valley Bureau for the year were down 48 percent compared to last year. Despite that overall decline, the surge in recent weeks prompted Mayor Bass to direct police to increase patrols along Ventura Boulevard.
We all have zero, zero tolerance for what is happening and what's been happening in the Valley. Today, we are once again surging resources and acting strategically to stop these latest burglaries and apprehend the perpetrators.
Security cameras did not record the Lake Balboa incident, complicating the investigation. Investigators currently have no description of the suspects.
The first thing that goes through my mind is that I'm blessed because my wife and son are safe. But we're also kind of shocked and scared.
Licata said neighbors have responded by becoming more vigilant.
I've known many people on this block for many years and everybody on this block is not afraid to protect themselves and protect their families, so I would obviously hate for anything bad to happen to anybody.
NBC Los Angeles has tracked at least 21 reported break-ins at homes in and around the San Fernando Valley since April 10. The burglaries have occurred in communities including Sherman Oaks, Woodland Hills, Encino, Tarzana, Valley Glen, and Toluca Lake.
The Los Angeles Times reported that in the recent burglaries, some incidents occurred about a mile apart, while others were reported as occurring just minutes apart. Burglars were reported to have worn all black clothing during one heist in Sherman Oaks.
In another incident in the Hollywood Hills, a resident walked in on burglars wearing gray hoodies and black pants. They fled in a gray Hyundai.
McDonnell said the department is actively combating, tracking and arresting these burglary crews with all available resources, despite budget constraints.
This article was generated with AI assistance.