While the homeowner was out for a short late‑night errand, burglars slipped into a Woodland Hills house and made off with an estimated $250,000 in loot, including more than a dozen watches, designer handbags and close to $80,000 in cash. The owner returned just before midnight to find a shattered back window and a whole lot of space where prized valuables used to be.
What Police Say
The Los Angeles Police Department told NBC Los Angeles that officers were called to a Fairhaven Avenue home shortly before midnight, where they found the break‑in scene. Detectives are still working the case, and so far no arrests have been announced.
Bigger Pattern In The Valley
Investigators and city leaders are treating the burglary as part of a larger wave of high‑value home break‑ins across the San Fernando Valley, a trend that earlier this spring pushed the city to beef up patrols, add air support and roll out mobile license‑plate readers. The Los Angeles Times reported that Mayor Karen Bass ordered the extra deployments after several pricey homes were hit in quick succession.
Recent Hits In Woodland Hills
Woodland Hills has been a particular hot spot, with several recent jobs pulling in six‑figure hauls. On June 26, a separate burglary in the neighborhood was reported to have netted about $100,000, a reminder that crews are laser‑focused on items that are easy to move and resell. In that earlier case, heist crew cleans out safe, jewelry and DJ gear in $100K raid, investigators urged homeowners to lock down construction sites and consider stashing big‑ticket equipment off‑site.
How To Help
The LAPD's Topanga Area Detective Desk is asking anyone with leads to call 818‑756‑4820 or reach the department’s non‑emergency line at 877‑ASK‑LAPD, according to the LAPD. Tips can also be filed online, and detectives especially want to hear from anyone who noticed unusual activity near Fairhaven Avenue around midnight.
Security Takeaways
Investigators and local reports indicate that organized crews often scout targets in advance, cut power or disable cameras, then sweep through for compact, high‑end goods like watches, handbags and cash. Residents are being urged to document serial numbers, make sure outdoor lighting and cameras actually work at night, and double‑check that insurance coverage matches the value of jewelry, electronics and other big‑ticket items kept at home.
