Residents in a Hancock Park neighborhood said they’re being invaded by burglary crews that have been continually breaking into homes with no signs of stopping.
Surveillance cameras captured the criminal crews at work as they repeatedly hit the same neighborhood near 3rd Street and La Brea.
“It’s been happening for the past two months,” said a neighbor who did not wish to be identified out of safety concerns. “We’ve been hit maybe 10, 11 times.”
Residents said that oftentimes, the intruders break in when nobody is home. They quickly ransack the properties and escape with many valuables within minutes.
Eric Jacoby, however, said he happened to be present when the thieves targeted his home on May 1 around 10:15 p.m.
“I was getting ready for bed when I heard a thump followed by another thump and then a smash,” he said. “I open my bedroom door and a man was coming up the stairs and I realized very quickly he would get to my kids’ room before he would get to me. So I screamed. I yelled, ‘Get out! Get out! The police are on their way!’”
Jacoby said his verbal warning was enough to scare the thieves away. He said the frightening encounter only further underscores the need for more community protection.
“There needs to be more police,” he said. “There needs to be more police on the street.”
Many neighbors have since banded together to protect each other and keep an eye out for any suspects lurking around, but they believe more needs to be done by local leaders and law enforcement.
“Through all the communicating that we’re doing as neighbors, it doesn’t seem like there’s any clear strategy for keeping our neighborhood safe,” said Kate Cress, a resident.
The neighborood, which is in a predominantly Jewish community, has now expanded their patrols through a special volunteer security force called Magen Am Shield of the Nation.
“We get licensed through extensive training and we carry firearms,” explained Salvador Litvak, a neighbor and security force member. “We thought it was to protect our houses of worship, but now that crime is just so rampant in the neighborhood, we’ve extended our vigilance to that.”
Many residents told KTLA they’ve since removed all valuables from their homes and are increasing security measures.
Authorities said that if anything appears suspicious or out of place, residents should report the situation to their local law enforcement.
Anyone with information or evidence in the Hancock Park burglaries is asked to call the Los Angeles Police Department at 1-877-527-3247.
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