L.A. celebrities breathe easier after arrests

Housebreak ring targeted actors, singers, athletes

In the ritzy Los Angeles-area neighborhoods inhabited by celebrities and professional athletes, the chances of a luxury car carrying well-dressed passengers raising any sort of alarm are slim.

It was by using this disguise that a crew suspected of burglarizing various residences belonging to high-profile singers, actress- es, athletes and Hollywood producers were able to go undetected as they scouted potential targets and carried out organized break-ins, according to Los Angeles police.

But police announced Tuesday they had arrested four people who allegedly looted the homes of celebrities, such as singers Rihanna and Christina Milian, Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Yasiel Puig and Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Robert Woods.

Police believe the suspects also had plans to target Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James, as well as actors Viola Davis and Matt Damon.

“Initially, it was believed these homes were being burglarized at random,” Capt. Lillian Carranza, commanding officer of the Los Angeles Police Department’s Commercial Crimes Division, told reporters. “However, detectives learned this was not the case.”

The suspects, Carranza said, belong to a “small specialized group of gang members and associates,” who are believed to be responsible for at least two dozen other burglaries and taking property – ranging from expensive watches to firearms – worth millions of dollars. Police also recovered $50,000 in cash.

Additionally, authorities said it appeared the thieves had more burglaries planned. A search of one of the suspect’s homes revealed a list of potential targets and their addresses, including James, Davis and Damon, Carranza said. She added that the people on this list have been contacted and warned.

An investigation is ongoing and police expect more arrests to be made.

The alleged thieves described their strategy as “flocking,” Carranza said.

“They flock like birds to areas where the rich and famous resided,” she said.

Targets were selected “based on social media postings and touring or travel schedules,” Carranza said. Using that information, they knew when the homes would likely be empty, she said.

After scouting the homes in their nice shirts and cars, police allege the suspects would switch to a larger vehicle and swap their button-downs for hoodies to carry out the burglary.