A burglary crew reportedly hit two homes on one residential street in Woodland Hills early Thursday morning, prompting growing concerns from residents in the affluent community.
The incidents occurred at around 4:30 a.m. in the 22800 block of Calvert Street.
Dark, grainy footage captured by home surveillance cameras captured several thieves carrying large bags or sacks as they ran toward their getaway car.
One witness who did not want to be identified on camera told KTLA that as he was leaving for work in the pre-dawn hours, he spotted a man running toward a white SUV that was already moving when the alleged thief jumped into the backseat.
He said he knew he was watching a burglary in process because the crooks were emerging from a home that’s unoccupied and advertised as a rental.
“I called 911. I couldn’t get a license plate or anything,” he told KTLA. “It is scary.”
Investigators with the Los Angeles Police Department say there’s also surveillance footage from another angle that shows the same vehicle speeding down the street.
The same crew may be responsible for a home invasion of an occupied property just a few doors down around the same time.
The owner of that told KTLA that his tenants, five British nationals, were the victims.
They claim that around seven armed intruders who were dressed as if they were some type of law enforcement personnel barged in shouting, “Police! Police!”
Not believing their claims, all five victims fled the home and were uninjured. They have since informed the homeowner that they are too shaken to return to the residence and are looking for another place to rent.
One of the suspects in that case reportedly cut himself while smashing through a door window and the homeowner told KTLA that there was blood found at the scene. There were also several firearms recovered, though police have not said whether they think they belong to the robbery crew or the former tenants.
Both of the break-ins come a little more than a week after a brazen, broad daylight armed robbery outside another Woodland Hills home.
That incident unfolded on Labor Day, when three men, at least two of them armed, rushed up a homeowner’s driveway and attempted to rob two men detailing the resident’s car.
The thieves only made off with a watch and pocketknife, but frightening ordeal rattled the two men and the homeowner as well.
“I really feel bad that in my driveway something like this happened to them,” he explained. “It was a bit traumatizing for all of us and actually made me realize that I don’t necessarily want to live in Woodland Hills anymore.”
It’s unclear what may have been stolen in the latest incidents.
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