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Residents of Palos Verdes Estates, a picturesque and affluent coastal community in Southern California, are on high alert following a disturbing pattern of evening home burglaries. Authorities report that since the beginning of the year, multiple homes have been targeted during dinnertime hours—between 5:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.—in what police describe as "quick, sneaky and under the cover of darkness" attacks.
The Palos Verdes Estates Police Department has confirmed at least four such burglaries, in addition to another set of unrelated break-ins, including repeat incidents at a single home. These brazen crimes have left homeowners rattled and law enforcement ramping up efforts to curb the surge.
Targeted & Timed Break-Ins
The suspects, still at large in many cases, appear to be carefully selecting homes and striking when residents are likely to be occupied with evening routines. The methodology is straightforward: gain entry through side or rear doors, often by smashing windows, and move swiftly before authorities can respond.
Among the most recent incidents:
A burglary on Via Pavion between Dec. 30 and Jan. 2 resulted in a broken garage door.
On Jan. 3 and 4, suspects were arrested following two separate incidents on Via Opata.
On Jan. 3, a home on Palos Verdes Drive North was hit between 5:30 p.m. and 8 p.m., with a rear door window smashed to gain entry.
A similar event took place on Via Solano on Jan. 26, between 5:30 p.m. and 8:10 p.m.
The trend continued on Feb. 8, when burglars struck a home on Paseo La Cresta between 6:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
On Feb. 13, suspects smashed a back door window on Via Palomino sometime between 5:04 p.m. and 7:12 p.m.
Authorities have also reported an additional daytime burglary on Avenida Mirola and a garage break-in at another residence, further highlighting the growing concern in the neighborhood.
Community on High Alert
With burglars exploiting early evening darkness and the distraction of dinnertime routines, law enforcement is urging residents to be proactive in safeguarding their homes. The Palos Verdes Estates Police Department has deployed additional officers specifically for burglary suppression and is collaborating with other law enforcement agencies to track down suspects.
Residents are being advised to take precautionary measures such as:
Keeping homes well-lit in the evening.
Ensuring all doors and windows are locked before leaving or retiring for the night.
Remaining vigilant of suspicious activity, particularly unfamiliar vehicles or individuals loitering in the area.
Reporting any unusual behavior to local authorities immediately.
The Growing Trend of Organized Residential Burglaries
This pattern of targeted home invasions reflects a broader trend seen across affluent communities, where organized groups exploit security weaknesses and predictable routines. Many of these incidents involve sophisticated burglars who surveil neighborhoods, selecting homes with minimal deterrents and executing fast, calculated break-ins.
While law enforcement agencies continue their investigations, the recent wave of burglaries serves as a stark reminder that even the safest communities are not immune to crime. As authorities work to curb the uptick in break-ins, residents are urged to remain cautious, take preventive measures, and support local crime-prevention efforts to ensure their neighborhoods remain secure. Source: KTLA
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