Three days out of their homes for termite fumigation, back under the tent for just a few hours, and then the gut punch: tenants at a Sherman Oaks apartment building say they returned to find 16 units ransacked, valuables gone, and nerves shredded.
Residents say the building’s owners had hired 24-7 security to watch the property on Moorpark Street near Fulton Avenue while everyone was displaced for the scheduled fumigation. Even so, burglars allegedly slipped in through windows that had to be left open for the treatment. Stolen items ranged from jewelry and family heirlooms to laptops and sensitive financial paperwork, and neighbors say the losses have left many shaken and already weighing legal action.
What happened
According to ABC7 Los Angeles, the building was tented for termites when, at about 5 a.m. on the final morning, a group of burglars hit roughly 16 apartments. One resident told the station the thieves took advantage of the required open windows, moving through units while the structure was still under treatment. "They got in through all the open windows because you have to leave your windows open for the fumigation," the tenant said.
Residents' losses and blame
Tenants told ABC7 Los Angeles that burglars made off with tens of thousands of dollars in valuables, including jewelry, watches, computers and other electronics, and even pawed through financial records. Some residents are pointing fingers at the private security firm that was hired to guard the site, and homeowners are said to be considering possible legal action against building management or the security contractor.
Police response and a wider pattern
The LAPD is investigating the break-ins, which arrive on the heels of an increase in high-value residential burglaries across the San Fernando Valley earlier in the spring. That uptick prompted Mayor Karen Bass to order extra police patrols and led the department to step up high-visibility enforcement, according to the Los Angeles Times. In recent months, police have said they are using air support, mobile license plate readers and specialized detectives to go after organized burglary crews targeting homes for jewelry and electronics.
Fumigation, liability and tenant rights
Fumigation companies and building owners are required to follow state rules on notices and re-entry. The California Structural Pest Control Board mandates an occupant fumigation notice and a posted clearance certification from licensed fumigators before anyone is allowed back inside. As outlined by LegalClarity, tenants are advised to document any damage, keep receipts and records, and be aware that landlords may be on the hook for relocation costs or rent abatement. Complaints about fumigation practices can be filed directly with the state board.
How residents and owners can respond
Anyone affected by this kind of burglary is urged to file a police report, create a detailed inventory of losses with photos, and notify both their insurer and building management. Victims who believe a fumigator, landlord or security contractor failed to meet legal obligations can gather documentation and explore civil remedies. Renters who live in cities with relocation ordinances should also review local rules on reimbursement for displacement costs, and anyone worried about a licensed fumigator’s conduct can use the Structural Pest Control Board website to find complaint forms and contact information.
