Professional Burglary Crew Caught On Camera In Tarzana

TARZANA, CA — Police Friday sought the public's help in identifying a burglary crew that struck a Tarzana home.

One suspect was recorded by a surveillance camera during the burglary about 10:45 a.m. Tuesday in the 19200 block of Linnet Street, near Tampa Avenue, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.

"Two suspects entered the residence, ransacked the bedrooms and fled the location with the victim's property," according to a police statement.

The burglars fled in a silver or gold SUV that was driven by a third suspect, police said.

The suspect who was recorded leaving the residence was described as a male who was 5 feet 9 inches tall and about 160 pounds. The second was described only as a male who was wearing a mask and no description was available for the getaway driver.

Police say this burglary crew was typical of others that are "organized and target affluent, single-family residences located within the San Fernando Valley."

"The members of these criminal groups are usually comprised of career burglars," Detective William Dunn of the West Valley Burglary Task Force said. "They select homes based on the likelihood of having money, jewelry, and/or firearms within the residence.

They are known to `scout' an area before a crime to identify unoccupied residences. Once they determine that a residence is unoccupied, they gain entry through a rear or side door. They have been known to disable an alarm. These residences are often ransacked as they search for money, jewelry and firearms."

City News Service; Photo courtesy of the Los Angeles Police Department