Rash of Burglaries Hits Westside

Los Angeles' Westside has been hit with a series of residential burglaries, senior lead Officer Christopher Ragsdale of the Los Angeles Police Department's West Los Angeles Division said today.

Suspects typically knock on the door or ring the doorbell to see if anyone is home. If there is no answer, the suspects go into the home through the side or rear by smashing windows or door glass, Ragsdale said.

Typically they target the master bedroom and bathroom areas, removing jewelry and small electronics, Ragsdale said.

Homes under construction or major remodeling are often targeted for the tools, construction materials and appliances suspects can grab, he said.

Ragsdale suggested that homes have working security alarms, and set whether the resident is gone for 10 minutes or 10 hours.

Residents might also consider a private patrol alarm response and use web-based surveillance camera systems that allow home owners to monitor activities in their home from any smartphone or computer, Ragsdale said.

Ragsdale also suggested strong gates, doors and window locks.

--City News Service