They cased, they plotted, they struck, police say. But 7 Valley burglary suspects are nabbed

Seven people were charged in connection with a surge of residential burglaries in the San Fernando Valley. Authorities said brazen, calculated crews prowled neighborhoods, smashed into homes, and stole wallets, high-end handbags, watches, jewelry, and other items. The suspects were accused of participating in at least 20 burglaries. An upswing occurred last month, including nine burglaries in one week. The mayor directed increased LAPD patrols along Ventura Boulevard, identified as a burglary hotspot. The sheriff said the suspects researched properties and used burner phones and cars rented under fraudulent identities. The police chief said many burglaries are linked to theft rings from South America and groups based in South Los Angeles, using tools such as hidden cameras, Wi-Fi jammers, and ladders to enter through second-floor areas.

"“These defendants are accused of prowling neighborhoods, smashing their way into homes and stealing from families who were left shaken and violated,” said Dist. Atty. Nathan Hochman in a statement."

"L.A. County Sheriff Robert Luna said the recently arrested suspects conducted extensive research of properties and attempted to conceal their crimes using burner phones and cars rented under fraudulent identities."

"Luna, at a news conference Wednesday, noted that organized burglary crews “are increasingly targeting affluent neighborhoods and often select homes near golf courses, parks and hiking trails and open space areas that provide easier access and escape routes.”"

"Last month, L.A. Police Chief Jim McDonnell said that many of these residential burglaries are tied to theft rings from South America as well as groups based in South L.A. He said crews use similar tools such as hidden cameras to determine when residents leave their homes, Wi-Fi jammers to disrupt home security systems and ladders to get inside homes through second-floor w"

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