Los Angeles police have arrested four teenagers in connection with a series of burglaries targeting celebrities, including a break-in at Brad Pitt’s home in June. Police chief Jim McDonnell announced the arrests, describing the suspects as a crew that carried out burglaries at the homes of “various high-profile residents” across the city, including actors and professional athletes.
The investigation began after a burglary on 25 June at a residence in the 2300 block of North Edgemont Drive, which corresponds to Pitt’s home in the Los Feliz neighbourhood. According to McDonnell, three masked suspects scaled a perimeter fence, shattered a glass window with a tool, entered the property, stole items, and fled.
Following a surveillance operation, officers arrested four suspects aged between 16 and 18. Police recovered “numerous items taken” during the burglaries. McDonnell stated that the suspects are “documented or affiliated with a criminal street gang”. Pitt’s home was ransacked while he was on a promotional tour for his film F1.
Other celebrities who have reported recent burglaries include actors Nicole Kidman and Austin Butler, and footballer Olivier Giroud, who played for Los Angeles FC last season. McDonnell warned that criminals are using increasingly sophisticated methods, such as wifi jammers to disable surveillance cameras and monitoring celebrities’ social media to track their movements.
He also noted that gangs are aware that juveniles under 18 are treated differently by the US justice system, which may encourage their involvement in such crimes.
