RESIDENTIAL BURGLARIES
DISTRACTING ELDERLY VICTIMS
Increase in home burglaries in Pacific Palisades, Westwood, and West L.A.... organized groups
of thieves target vulnerable elderly citizens
using trickery or distraction to get access
to residences and remove property.
Suspects, males and females, ages 17 to 50,
Caucasian, Eastern European, Hispanic,
Filipino and "Gypsy." 
Some common methods: Posing as Department of
Water & Power employees who need to see the backyard;
Posing as construction workers at a neighboring
house who need to inspect a backyard wall;
Asking to go into the backyard to get their lost cat, etc.
While accommodating the request, accomplices 
enter the house to take things.
To report suspicious activity or share
information about these crimes, call the
24-hour toll free Detective Information Desk:
1-877-LAW-FULL (1-877-529-3855)
or the West Los Angeles Area Front Desk
at (310) 444-0701 or 444-0704