Two burglars needed only a smashed back window and a late-night opportunity on Saturday to empty a Toluca Lake home of roughly $100,000 in jewelry and clothing, leaving neighbors rattled while police sort through the aftermath.
Break-in on Whipple Street
The burglary was reported around 10:30 p.m. at a home on Whipple Street, where two people smashed through a back window to get inside, according to NBC Los Angeles. The outlet reported that the thieves grabbed jewelry and clothing valued at about $100,000. No one was home during the break-in, and investigators have not released a suspect description. The case remains active.
Area already on alert
Neighbors were not exactly starting from a place of calm. The area has seen similar break-ins in recent months, and the Burbank Police Department previously warned about a rise in so-called "knock-knock" burglaries that target empty homes in a community bulletin, according to the Burbank Police Department.
In that bulletin, the department urged residents to "NEVER open your door for anyone you don't know or recognize" and to stick with the basics: lock doors and windows, use light timers when away, and install cameras where possible. The notice also highlighted a 24-hour non-emergency line neighbors can use to flag suspicious activity.
Why residents are nervous
Local coverage shows Toluca Lake was already shaken by an early-morning home invasion in January, prompting many neighbors to step up their home-security routines. That earlier incident, along with ongoing community chatter, helps explain why another late-night break-in is landing so hard.
How to report tips
Anyone with information about the Whipple Street burglary is urged to contact the Los Angeles Police Department. For non-emergencies, neighbors may also call Burbank Police's 24-hour line at 818-238-3000, as listed by the Burbank Police Department. Residents are encouraged to review any home-security footage, double-check that doors and windows are secure, and call in suspicious activity rather than confronting possible burglars themselves.
