Aug. 25 (UPI) — Eight alleged gang members have been arrested in break-ins of high-end items and firearms from at least 92 homes and businesses, the Los Angeles Police Department announced Monday.
The suspects, who have been arrested and charged, are believed to be members of the Rich Rollin Burglary Crew, LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell said at a news conference. They range in age from 20 to 47, police said.
Also, two other men were linked to the burglary crew but were already in custody on suspicion of an unrelated attempted murder, police said.
“These individuals represent the kind of repeat offenders we are targeting through our suppression strategies and their arrests underscore our progress in reducing burglaries and other crimes,” the chief told reporters.
McDonnell said they focused on West Los Angeles and near Los Angeles International Airport, though some crimes were in the San Fernando Valley, police said.
They sought high-end jewelry, purses, watches and wallets, as well as guns and suitcases, police say. The items were sold for cash, District Attorney Nathan Hochman said.
“They come in here, not because they need anything, but because of greed,” Hochman said. “They don’t want to use (the stolen items) for their own benefit, they are using that [to get] money.”
Some of the accused could face life in prison because they have one or two strikes against them, Hochman said.
Police said they are members of the Rollin’ 30s and 55 Neighborhood.
None of the burglaries are linked to a recent crime wave in Encino, and instead were from 2022, with most last year and this year.
At 5 a.m. Wednesday, search warrants were served at eight homes in Los Angeles, Hawthorn, Inglewood and Carson. Besides stolen high-end items and currency, police said they found 15 firearms, weapon magazines, burglary tools, narcotics, masks, cellphones and radios.
Police said they got a break in the burglary cases on Feb. 13 when three suspects in a van were arrested after a vehicle pursuit. The vehicle was recognized from two burglaries the day before, McDonnell said.
In April, police found items from a search warrant. Included were stolen credit cards and license plates, he said.
Mayor Karen Ross praised the “extraordinary work of our LAPD and our regional partners,” including Hawthorne and Inglewood police departments.
She said it was a “major win” for her city, and “we won’t stop doing whatever we need to do to combat crime.”
Police said some places may have been targeted because of postings on social media.
“You’re showing off Rolexes, fancy bags, fancy cars, this kind of stuff. You make yourself a target,” McDonnell said before the announced arrests during a meeting with the Sherman Oaks Homeowners Association last week.
Also, McDonnell said upscale restaurant patrons may be targeted.
Homicides in Los Angeles are down 9% from the previous year.