Celebrity Residential Burglaries On The Rise In Los Angeles

It seems that when gang bangers are not killing each other, they spend time burglarizing homes of celebrities and other well to do Californians living in Los Angeles. Almost every week there is a report of a major burglary at the home of a celeb. Police suspect that these gang members try to blend in by dressing up more appropriately and fit into the wealthy surroundings of Los Angeles.

Prime targets for these gangs include homes of celebs which have significant valuables and jewellery lying around.

Recently, singers Alanis Morissette and Nicki Minaj both reported being victims of crimes known as flocking. This term is used to describe packs of gang members who flock like ‘birds’ to homes of wealthy celebs where the payoffs are huge.

The modus operandi in each case is similar. They check the place out for a few hours and when it appears that no one is home, knock on the door and if there is no answer, break in. While these burglars do not exactly know whose home they are robbing, they are fully aware where the richest of the richest reside. So far, celebrity victims include Laker star Nick Young, Dodger outfielder Yasiel Plug, actress Emmy Rossum among others.

Singer Alanis Morissette had over 2 million dollars’ worth of valuables and jewellery stolen from her mansion in Brentwood. Nick Young lost close to half a million dollars’ worth of jewellery from his Tarzana home. Sadly no arrests have been made in any of these burglaries.

Los Angeles law enforcement believe that there may be just one gang involved. Initial suspicion has fallen on the Rollin’ 30s Harlem Crips. It is suspected that five or six members of the gang, both male and female, check out the place before committing the crime. The crew is rotated so that the same people are never seen in the same neighbourhood and this has made it especially difficult to identify the people involved.

A tell-tale sign of a rich home is one with luxury cars like Mercedes, BMWs and SUVS. In most cases, the master bedroom is the place where the gang members flock and within minutes all visible jewellery and valuables are taken.

These gangs are sophisticated and know how to avoid security cameras; they do not steal laptops or cameras anymore. They go for the big stuff like expensive jewellery.

Celebs are being warned to have extra security around their homes and be on the lookout for strangers, even the well-dressed ones.