About 20 cars parked along Erwin Street, near Cahuenga Boulevard in North Hollywood, were broken into early Thursday, turning a usually quiet block into a long row of shattered passenger-side windows and glittering glass on the sidewalk. Neighbors said they woke up to find items missing from glove compartments, seat pockets, and other small storage spots. The surprise left residents on edge as officers walked the block, knocking on doors and looking for anyone who might have seen or heard something overnight.
As reported by NBC Los Angeles, the LAPD received a call at about 5 a.m. about someone breaking into cars, and investigators say no arrests have been made. One resident told reporters that every targeted vehicle appeared to have its passenger-side window shattered. Police asked anyone with video or other footage to bring it to detectives as they follow up on leads.
Police And Patrols
Earlier this spring the LAPD said it would step up patrols after a string of burglaries in the San Fernando Valley, and CBS Los Angeles reported that the North Hollywood Division had investigated 156 burglaries through April 11, a figure the department said was lower than last year. That broader context has left some residents skeptical that short bursts of extra patrols can prevent fast, overnight smash-and-grab runs like the one that hit Erwin Street. Detectives have not publicly tied Thursday's vehicle break-ins to the earlier burglary wave.
Residents Rely On Cameras And Community Watch
"Every car targeted" appeared to have the passenger-side window smashed, one woman told local reporters, and photos shared with news outlets showed glass inside vehicles and along the curb, according to NBC Los Angeles. Several neighbors said they will be combing through doorbell and dash-cam footage and turning any useful recordings over to police. Some residents called for better street lighting and more visible patrols on the block, at least while detectives try to track down whoever is responsible.
How To Report Damage And Protect Your Vehicle
Victims are being asked to file a report and, if possible, bring surveillance or dash-cam footage to the North Hollywood Community Police Station. You can see the LAPD's station finder at LAPD Online and additional crime-prevention resources at LAPD Online. The department's crime-prevention guidance recommends keeping valuables out of sight, locking doors and reporting suspicious activity to 877-ASK-LAPD or your neighborhood station. Neighbors who recorded the overnight activity are being urged to preserve video timestamps before sharing footage with investigators.
Police continue to investigate and are asking anyone with information to contact detectives. Neighbors said they plan to share any footage that might identify the suspect or a vehicle. For now, residents say they will be watching the block more closely while detectives work through tips.
