Rash Of Break-Ins Reported In La Cañada Flintridge

LA CAÑADA FLINTRIDGE (CBSLA.com) —There's been a rash of break-ins in usually quiet La Cañada-Flintridge.

Crescenta Valley Sheriff's detectives say three men and a woman broke into a home in the 400 block of Starlight Crest Drive between 1:49 and 2:24 p.m. on May 8.

One of the burglars got in by smashing a rear sliding glass door, then unlocked the front door for the other three suspects. One of the suspects backed a vehicle into the driveway, where they loaded a Louis Vuitton handbag, money, a safe and luggage, sheriff's officials said.

All the suspects seemed to be aware of cameras in the home and kept their heads down the entire time, authorities said.

All four suspects were described as African American, and they drove a gray crossover vehicle, possibly a BMW X series, with tinted windows, black and white dealer plates and a sunroof.

The first suspect wore a dark-colored hat with a white emblem, a navy blue jacket, white T-shirt, dark pants, black and white sneakers and used a black umbrella to cover his face when entering the backyard.

The second suspect wore a white towel/bandanna under a gray hat, a gray shirt, blue jeans, black and white shoes and black gloves, while the third suspect, who the getaway driver, wore a gray hoodie jacket with a black and white diamond pattern and dark pants.

The Starlight Crest Drive break-in was the second in less than a month. Authorities say another quartet -- apparently not related to the May 8 break-in -- broke into a home in the 1300 block of Descanso Drive between 9:10 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. on April 21 by smashing in a rear glass door pane.

The burglars got away with electronics and a credit card, which was later used at a Macy's in Northridge and a liquor store in Pacoima, sheriff's officials said.

The four burglars in the April 21 break-in were all described as Hispanic men in their early 20s with dark hair, driving a silver car, possibly a Toyota Solara. The first had a mustache and wore a black T-shirt and a watch on his left wrist, while the second wore a black hoodie with a triangle on the front and possibly had a mustache.

The third suspect wore a dark hat backwards, a dark sweatshirt with the California flag on the front, and black and white gym shorts and the fourth had a mustache and beard and wore a white striped zip-up hoodie and jeans.

Anyone with information about the burglary or the identity of any of the suspects can contact Detective Burt at the Crescenta Valley Sheriff's Station at (818) 236-4014.