Three home-invasion suspects yelled “LAPD” as they broke into a San Fernando Valley home while the residents were sleeping Wednesday evening, police said.
The incident occurred shortly before 11 p.m. in the 7300 block of Forbes Avenue in Lake Balboa, a Los Angeles Police Department spokesperson confirmed.
Police suspect the thieves had been casing the home for some time before striking while watching the owners’ cars leave the residence.
Believing no one was inside, the suspects broke into the home through a back door window. To their surprise, however, there were residents still sleeping at the home at the time of the break-in.
“My dogs started barking and I saw what I thought were flashlights,” the homeowner, who did not wish to be identified, told KTLA.
They rummaged through closets for several minutes before bursting through the victim’s bedroom door, yelling, “LAPD! LAPD!” the victim said.
Reacting instantly, the victim yelled at them which scared them away immediately.
“I’m hanging my hat on the fact they didn’t have weapons and that wasn’t their interest,” she said. “At my voice, they took off, so clearly they didn’t have violence on their minds.”
The suspects fled on foot with a purse and several other miscellaneous items.
“They had found some money in the entry hallway in one of the drawers,” the homeowner said. “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.”
Police later found the woman’s cell phone discarded at a construction site a block away.
It’s unclear whether the thieves have tried to use the stolen debit cards. Authorities are investigating whether the burglary crew may be responsible for other thefts.
The suspects, who remain at large, were all described as males wearing black hoodies and dark clothing.
Anyone with information is asked to call the LAPD at 1-877-275-5273.