Relentless Burglary Wave Shakes Hancock Park Community

A quiet neighborhood in Los Angeles has become the scene of a relentless crime wave, with Hancock Park residents reporting a disturbing series of burglaries that show no signs of slowing down.

Over the past two months, neighbors near 3rd Street and La Brea have endured break-in after break-in—up to 11 times in some cases—leaving residents shaken and frustrated.

Security footage shared with local news outlets shows masked intruders swiftly breaking into homes, often during the night and typically when no one is home. The criminals waste no time, ransacking properties and escaping within minutes, sometimes in an older-model gray Mercedes-Benz C-class sedan caught on camera.

But not all incidents happen while homes are empty. On May 1, around 10:15 p.m., resident Eric Jacoby was preparing for bed when he heard a series of loud noises. When he opened his bedroom door, he came face to face with an intruder already inside the house and headed toward his children's room.

"I screamed. I yelled, ‘Get out! Get out! The police are on their way!’” Jacoby told reporters. His voice alone was enough to send the thieves fleeing.

Despite neighbors banding together and sharing information, many feel more needs to be done at a city and law enforcement level. “Through all the communicating that we’re doing as neighbors, it doesn’t seem like there’s any clear strategy for keeping our neighborhood safe,” said resident Kate Cress.

In response to the uptick in crime, a local volunteer security group called Magen Am—originally formed to protect Jewish houses of worship—has stepped up its presence in the neighborhood. Trained and licensed, volunteers are now patrolling residential streets in an effort to deter further criminal activity.

Meanwhile, residents are removing valuables from their homes, boarding up broken windows, and boosting their private security measures.

Law enforcement continues to investigate the burglaries, and officials urge anyone with information or suspicious activity to report it to the Los Angeles Police Department at 1-877-527-3247.

As Hancock Park searches for answers, one thing remains clear: the community’s sense of security has been deeply shaken.

Source: KTLA