A sharply dressed burglar slipped into a Los Feliz home early Wednesday and quietly walked off with the homeowner’s car and address book while the 101-year-old resident slept inside, authorities said. The intruder left behind a fedora and a flashlight, and neighbors’ surveillance cameras captured images that helped investigators track the stolen vehicle.
Security video from several houses shows a man in a fedora and tie moving along Glencairn Road, testing front gates as he goes. "He looked right into my camera, so we have a full facial shot of him," one neighbor told Eyewitness News. The homeowner, identified by reporters as 101-year-old Daniel Saxon, later discovered his white Honda and his address book missing after the break-in, according to ABC7 Los Angeles.
Arrest in Culver City
On Thursday morning, Culver City police found a man sitting inside Saxon’s white Honda in the parking lot of a fast-food restaurant and took him into custody. Officers recovered the address book and a trunkful of women’s clothing. It was not immediately clear whether the department had released the suspect’s name or any charges, per ABC7 Los Angeles.
Why Older Adults Are Targeted
Crimes that target older adults range from doorstep theft to complex financial fraud, and the losses add up quickly. Federal data show reported losses to elder-focused scams reached $3.4 billion in 2023. The FBI’s elder-fraud report notes that tech-support and investment schemes are among the most damaging and emphasizes that seniors are a particularly vulnerable victim group, according to the FBI.
Neighbors and Prevention
Neighbors in Los Feliz say their cameras made a crucial difference this time, providing officers with a clear facial image and a link to the car that was later recovered. Police urge residents to report suspicious activity to 911 and to consider basic protections, such as secure gates, exterior lighting and cameras, especially for older neighbors.
