Los Angeles' Westlake district was the scene of a major recovery operation where LAPD detectives seized over 200 electronic devices believed to be stolen. According to the LAPD Newsroom, the haul includes Apple laptops, iPads, and iPhones and was discovered in a storefront during a search warrant operation on December 13, 2023.
Authorities say a woman was arrested at the scene on suspicion of receiving stolen property. The search revealed a cache of goods suspected to have been quickly gleaned from local burglaries. Among the items recovered was an Apple MacBook swiped from a vehicle near Echo Park, along with $45,000 in pricy camera gear, some of which was also found in the Westlake store.
Evidence linking the electronic devices to their rightful owners materialized when a camera containing footage of an investigative reporter from a local news station surfaced. The reporter had been covering an event in downtown Los Angeles when the theft occurred. Further investigation by Rampart Division detectives tied eight laptops to the Los Angeles Unified School District, one to the Los Angeles Public Library, and another to the Beverly Hills Unified School District.
The LAPD is now reaching out to the community, hoping to return the seized items to their lawful owners and soliciting tips on any related criminal activity. In the statement on their website, they've included images of the recovered property and urged anyone with information to make direct contact with Rampart Auto Detective B. Gorby or Burglary Detective M. Pineda.
Anonymous tips are welcomed through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS or via text to 274637 with the prefix "LAPD."
