A Studio City neighbor confronted two masked burglars who were breaking into his neighbor's home. The intruders sprayed Steven Calabro with bear spray as he took photos of them fleeing in a getaway vehicle. No arrests have been made in the May 8 incident.
# Studio City Neighbor Confronts Masked Burglars, Gets Sprayed With Bear Spray
A Studio City resident confronted two masked burglars who were breaking into his neighbor's home. The intruders sprayed Steven Calabro with bear spray as he took photos of them fleeing in a getaway vehicle.
The incident occurred on Friday, May 8 in the 4200 block of Denny Avenue in Studio City.
Two men broke into the residence while the homeowners were away. Surveillance cameras inside the house captured the intruders moving through the property. The homeowners called police and texted their neighbor about the break-in.
"One guy came out, saw me and raised his hands like he had a gun," Calabro told KTLA.
The neighbor stepped outside and saw the suspects exiting the house. One suspect ran toward Calabro and pulled out a canister of bear spray. The spray hit Calabro directly in the face as he tried to document the incident.
Despite the attack, Calabro continued taking photos of the two masked men. He captured clear images of their faces as they fled in a white Kia sedan with blacked-out windows.
"He ran towards me and pulled out a giant can of bear spray and just nailed me with it," Calabro said.
The suspects fled the scene in a white Kia with California license plate 9JZZ583. Police did not make any arrests in the incident.
The Studio City break-in follows a string of similar crimes across the San Fernando Valley over the past several months. Two other recent home invasions have further rattled residents.
A home invasion in the Hollywood Hills above Sunset Boulevard occurred while children were inside the house. Another incident above Laurel Canyon Boulevard involved a woman being strangled. No arrests have been made in either case.
LAPD officers responded to the Denny Avenue burglary at least an hour after the homeowners first called for help. The department has not made any arrests in the Studio City case.
"You just get mad that somebody is coming into your neighborhood," Calabro said.
The homeowners have children living in the house. Calabro said the suspects had to be stopped.
Anyone with information about the Studio City burglary is urged to contact LAPD at 877-527-3247. Residents can also contact the L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers Hotline at 800-222-8477. Anonymous tips can be submitted online at www.lacrimestoppers.org.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has directed LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell to increase patrols in the area following the surge in burglaries throughout the San Fernando Valley.
The mayor ordered additional resources deployed to neighborhoods experiencing the spike in residential break-ins.
Calabro did not recommend confronting burglars. He said residents should stay safe and call police instead.
"I don't recommend it," Calabro said.
The neighbor gave all information about the incident to police. He continued to cooperate with investigators despite the attack.
The San Fernando Valley has been plagued by a rash of home burglaries in recent weeks. The LAPD has increased its presence in affected neighborhoods.
No items were taken from the Denny Avenue home, according to police reports. The burglary report and assault with a deadly weapon report were filed by the Los Angeles Police Department.
Other outlets have covered the incident:
The story continues to draw attention from local news outlets. More information may emerge as investigators pursue leads.
Anyone with information about this case is urged to contact authorities immediately.
This article was generated with AI assistance.