Men Claiming to Be Police Officers Commit Home Invasion: Police

Two men committed a home-invasion robbery in Hermosa Beach today while claiming to be police officers.

The crime occurred about 12:05 a.m. in the 2800 block of The Strand, Hermosa Beach police Sgt. Robert Higgins said.

The suspects may have burglarized an unoccupied residence in the same neighborhood around the same time as this morning’s robbery, and also may have recently burglarized two residences in the 1900 block of The Strand, Higgins said.

In this morning’s home invasion, the victim “woke up to the sounds of two suspects inside her bedroom,” Higgins said.

“The suspects verbally identified themselves as police officers,” Higgins said. “When the victim asked for law enforcement credentials, they refused. The suspects forced the victim to accompany them about the residence while they searched for valuables. The suspects ordered the victim to disrobe and forced her into a bathroom while they made their escape.”

The men fled with jewelry and an undisclosed amount of currency.

The suspects, who wore dark clothing, were described only as being about 20-30 years old, Higgins said.

Anyone with information on the case was urged to call Detective Sgt. Dorothy Scheid at (310) 318-0330.

--City News Service