LAPD alerts West L.A. communities over surge in break-ins, burglaries

Police have issued a warning to residents in West Los Angeles, including the neighborhoods of Bel-Air, Brentwood, Pacific Palisades and Westwood to take extra caution due to a rise in residential burglaries.

Three masked suspects seen on surveillance video attempting to break into a Bel-Air home on Roscomare Road Saturday is the most recent incident where police say thieves targeted an upscale neighborhood.

Investigators believe as many as six suspects armed with tools were involved in the attempted burglary but were scared off by Los Angeles police responding overhead.

The suspects fled the area before officers arrived at the home.

In Brentwood on Friday two male suspects broke into a home in the 300 block of South Bundy around 10:30 p.m.

The suspects did gain entry and got away with items taken from the home.

Another Brentwood home was hit earlier this month as well. On Aug. 15, police responded to a home on San Vicente Boulevard where thieves broke in.

It was unclear if the residents were home at the time of the two Brentwood incidents.

Burglars at another Bel-Air home were chased off shortly after gaining entry on Aug. 8. but it was unclear if any items were taken.

The incidents have prompted the LAPD to issue an alert warning residents about organized crews of usually two to four males taking jewelry, handbags and cash from homes, the Santa Monica Mirror reported.

The burglars have been known to ransack rooms looking for valuables and often have a getaway car parked outside with someone acting as a lookout.

The getaway vehicles are often rentals with dealer plates or stolen plates, according to police.

Burglars may also be using wifi jammers to interrupt the signal or residential security cameras and use handheld radios to communicate, the Mirror reported.

Residents were given several suggestions to increase their home security:

• Install surveillance systems

• Secure sliding glass doors

• Bolt down safes, add GPS trackers

• Join watch programs

• Check for hidden recording devices

Residents were also urged to share information with neighbors and be on the lookout for drones in the neighborhood.

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