San Fernando Valley Neighbors Use Technology to Combat Break-ins

Rising Break-in Trend

• 🚨 A series of break-ins have occurred in the San Fernando Valley, with thieves striking at all hours, including broad daylight.
• 🏠 Even homes with sophisticated security systems, including motion detectors and cameras, have been targeted.
• ⚠️ In one instance, a nanny scared away potential burglars, and recent weeks have seen multiple attempted burglaries within blocks of a Studio City home.

Suspect Vehicle and Modus Operandi

• 🚗 Neighbors suspect a Mercedes with a covered license plate may be involved in recent attacks.
• 🎯 Thieves employ a specific formula: one person rings the doorbell to check if anyone is home, followed by a crew if the house is empty.
• 🚪 If someone answers the door, they may feign service calls before proceeding with the burglary.

Burglary Tactics

• 💨 Burglars rapidly jump fences and can break back windows or sliders with a screwdriver.
• 🪜 They access the second floor, often targeting master bedrooms to steal jewelry, guns, and money.

Community Response and Law Enforcement

• 🤝 Concerns mirror those in Encino, where a rash of burglaries, robberies, and a murder have occurred.
• 🗣️ Councilman Adrianne's office is holding community meetings with senior lead officers to address the issue.
• ⚖️ A message has been sent to burglars: they will be caught and face consequences.