Home Invasion Burglars Shout 'LAPD' As They Surprise Sleeping Resident
LOS ANGELES, CA — Home invasion burglars in the Lake Balboa area tried to pose as Los Angeles Police Department officers after discovering their victims were still home, authorities said Thursday.
The suspects shouted out “LAPD” as they discovered the homeowner still abed after staking out the home and seeing others depart. They took a victim’s purse before fleeing, authorities said Thursday.
The burglary occurred at 9:57 p.m. Wednesday in the 7300 block of Forbes Avenue, just east of Balboa Avenue and just north of Sherman Way, the Los Angeles Police Department’s Media Relations Section reported.
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“The suspects broke into the victim’s residence and said they were LAPD and took the victim’s purse,” according to a department spokeswoman. “They’re outstanding and officers took a `hot prowl’ report.
“I don’t think they thought the victim would be at home,” she said. “That’s why (the officers) took a `hot prowl’ report.”
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The homeowner awoke to the sound of her dogs barking and the sight of flashlights illuminating her home.
“I’m hanging my hat on the fact they didn’t have weapons and that wasn’t their interest,” she told KTLA. “At my voice, they took off, so clearly they didn’t have violence on their minds.
“They had found some money in the entry hallway in one of the drawers,” added the homeowner, who asked not to be identified. “It was just a bunch of coins in a bag. They had pulled the bag out, but didn’t take them. All they took was my purse which was hanging on a doorknob. It only had my cell phone, 75 bucks and a couple of debit cards.”
City News Service contributed to this report.
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