SF Valley Sees Rise in Home Burglaries

The spike in Encino burglaries saw a 40% increase from June to July in an area south of the 101 Freeway, a stark contrast to the 4% rise in residential burglaries citywide during the same period. In the month leading up to early August, at least 10 burglaries were reported in the neighborhood of roughly 60,000 people. Authorities have linked the increase in break-ins to a trend of "burglary tourism," where organized crews, often from South America, enter the U.S. on tourist visas to target affluent homes. These groups, sometimes called South American Theft Groups (SATG), are suspected in numerous burglaries across Southern California, from San Diego to Ventura County. These crews operate with sophistication, often targeting homes connected to open spaces or canyons for easier access and escape. They are known to use jamming devices to disable home security systems and typically do not carry firearms to avoid more serious charges. Their primary targets are high-value items like jewelry that are easy to convert to cash. The pattern of these crimes has been described as "dinnertime burglaries," with many break-ins occurring in the evening when residents are likely to be out. The burglars often gain entry by breaking glass doors on the second floor of a home. In response to the crime wave, the Los Angeles Police Department has increased patrols in Encino and formed a dedicated task force to address burglaries by South American theft groups. Despite these efforts, the department has noted the difficulty in identifying suspects who wear dark clothing and gloves to avoid leaving fingerprints. The crimes are part of a larger, organized operation. In one case, a Van Nuys-based rental car agency was allegedly used to provide vehicles for thieves to carry out burglaries across the country. Federal prosecutors allege this ring laundered millions of dollars over a six-year period. Some residents have taken matters into their own hands, hiring private armed guards and considering purchasing firearms for protection. This has been a notable shift in a community where such conversations were previously uncommon, according to the president of the Encino Property Owners Assn., Robert Glushon. While overall crime in the LAPD's West Valley Division was reportedly down 19% this year compared to last, the cluster of break-ins has created significant tension. In August, the LAPD announced the arrest of two individuals and alluded to other "significant" arrests connected to the burglaries in the area.