RSSSimi Valley Police are actively looking for a trio of suspected burglars whom they believe have been breaking into homes in Indian Hills recently. As July turned to August, a series of burglaries, three in total, were committed in the same neighborhood in Simi Valley.
According to officials, several people were actually at home when the burglaries took place. Some residents were able to offer police a description of the suspects’ vehicle, which may have been a Nissan sedan. Police were also able to gather that, during some of the apparent burglaries, the suspects gained entry to the homes via sliding doors in the rear of the homes.
Witnesses also reported that during one alleged burglary, suspects who matched the witness accounts from an earlier burglary were glimpsed going into another residence’s yard.
In July, Los Angeles police noted that a different burglary ring appeared to be in operation in the West San Fernando Valley. The LAPD reported that about 30 homes were hit by a small group of two to five individuals. The incidents took place at homes in the Canoga Park, Winnetka, Woodland Hills and West Hills areas, which comprise the Topanga Division of the LAPD.
According to one police captain, the members of this group are believed to be between the ages of 18 and 25. He also noted they have acted up to five times in one day. They reportedly strike during the daytime hours when most people are away from home; they have allegedly taken cash, electronics and jewelry. Interestingly, they appear to abandon their plans if they knock on a home’s door and a person answers.
In California, being convicted on a burglary charge is not how most young people want to begin their adult years. The penalties for a conviction are severe and depend on several different factors; most significant are the value of the stolen goods and the circumstances of the crime, such as weapon use or fleeing from police.
To learn more about defenses to burglary and robbery, contact Los Angeles criminal defense attorney Jonathan I. Kelman at 310.286.1218.