It was not your typical family gathering in Glendale last week. Police say a husband, wife and their three children - two adults and one juvenile - were arrested after officers served a search warrant in a distraction-theft investigation that has been running since January. Inside the home, detectives reported finding fake and real jewelry, re-encoded credit cards, bogus IDs and passports, stolen clothing and $11,507 in cash. All five were booked on grand-theft and fraud-related counts, according to police.
What police say
According to a news release from the Glendale Police Department, the case started after a reported theft in January on the 1100 block of E. Broadway. Investigators say that probe revealed the crew was operating as a family unit and frequently bouncing between short-term rental properties.
Detectives with the department's Special Enforcement Detail said the group leaned on mobility and those short-term rentals to make it harder for law enforcement to track them, all while allegedly working distraction-theft schemes.
What officers found
During last Wednesday's search-warrant service, officers seized what they described as a stash of fake and genuine jewelry they believe is tied to distraction thefts, along with fake passports and IDs, re-encoded credit cards, stolen clothing and $11,507 in cash, according to the Glendale Police Department. Police say all five family members were booked on grand theft and a range of fraud-related offenses.
Investigators seek other victims
Detectives are now sorting through the jewelry, documents and other seized items in an effort to identify additional victims and possible accomplices. Police are asking anyone with information to call the Glendale Police tip line at (818) 548-3127. FOX 11 Los Angeles reported that investigators are also checking whether the group is tied to other unsolved distraction thefts across Southern California.
How distraction thefts work
Distraction thefts usually do not start with a threat. Instead, they rely on quick, friendly encounters - a dropped bill, an unexpected "gift," a request for directions or help - that pull someone's attention for just long enough for a partner to slip off jewelry, swap valuables or grab a wallet.
Similar patterns have been reported nearby, from the Burbank necklace cases involving elderly walkers to an Orange County "cash-drop" ATM setup described by the Orange County Sheriff's Department.
What happens next
The suspects remain in custody while detectives continue the investigation, and authorities have not released the individuals' names, CBS Los Angeles reported. No formal filings had been announced as of publication, and investigators say the case is active as they work to match the seized property with victims.
Anyone who believes they were targeted, or who saw suspicious activity that might be connected to these incidents, is urged to contact the Glendale Police tip line at (818) 548-3127 or the city's nonemergency number. Police also remind residents to keep valuables out of sight and to be wary of unsolicited gifts or offers from strangers.
