Burglars Ransack Valley Village Home, Steal $100,000 in Valuables

A Valley Village couple is reeling after their home was ransacked during a targeted burglary that unfolded on the evening of November 21, 2025. Josh and Rose Michnowski had just stepped out for a Friday night dinner when three masked intruders broke into their San Fernando Valley home, escaping with an estimated $100,000 worth of valuables.

According to surveillance footage, the suspects — believed to be two men and one woman — climbed onto the second-floor balcony and forced open a deadbolt lock, likely using a screwdriver or similar tool. Once inside, the trio moved quickly, collecting Rolex watches, jewelry, family heirlooms, and even a 50-pound safe. They were later seen leaving through a side alleyway around 8:30 p.m., carrying backpacks and tote bags filled with additional stolen items.

The Michnowskis told KTLA they believe the burglary was premeditated. “It definitely appeared to be organized for at least a week,” Josh said, noting that they suspect the trio had been scoping out the property days before the break-in.

In the surveillance audio, the intruders can be heard speaking in Spanish, at one point seemingly frustrated by the weight of the stolen safe. “One was struggling with the safe and the other had my coin collection from when I was a kid,” Josh recalled.

While many of the stolen items may be covered by insurance, others carried irreplaceable sentimental value. Rose emphasized the personal nature of the crime: “We lost a lot of sentimental things that we can’t get back, and I think that is just the worst part of this whole thing.”

In an unexpected twist, the couple had placed an AirTag inside their safe, allowing them to track its location to what appears to be an apartment building or hotel in Koreatown. However, authorities told them they cannot pursue the lead without additional identifying information, such as the suspects’ vehicle.

The break-in has been particularly difficult for the newlyweds, who purchased their first home over the summer and are expecting their first child. Returning to find their belongings thrown across the home added another layer of emotional impact. “It was done in such a personal and invasive way,” Josh said. “They’re just things, but they are things that matter to us.”

The LAPD’s North Hollywood Division is asking anyone with information or surveillance footage of the suspects’ vehicle to contact detectives at 818-754-8300.

Source: KTLA