Burglars Prey on West Hollywood Homes

There were more home burglaries in West Hollywood in the past week than any other crime, according to information provided by the sheriff's station. Thieves are breaking into apartments and taking laptop computers and jewelry from residents.

Late night planning note: To reduce your chances of encountering a thief, consider having a friend drop you off at your front door instead of walking home after an evening out. Parking can be tricky, but try to find a spot near your chosen bar or club because men and women have been robbed on the sidewalks of Weho after 11 p.m. Two women were robbed at gunpoint on Vista Street.

Read on for more information about burglaries and other incidents that occurred within the past week as compiled by the .

Street thieves

While walking on the sidewalk on Kings Road at Santa Monica Boulevard on Oct. 31 at about 1:30 a.m., a man was robbed by a male suspect described as African American. The man took the victim's $400 iPhone and fled on foot. 

As two women walked on the 1200 block of Vista Street on Oct. 31 at about 2:30 a.m., two male suspects robbed them at gunpoint. The suspects took the victims' wallets, purses, cell phones, identification, credit cards and cash and fled on foot. The loss was estimated at about $250.

While standing on the sidewalk on Santa Monica Boulevard near Almont Drive on Oct. 31 at about 11 p.m., a man was robbed by a male suspect who took his $330 cell phone and fled on foot.  

Business burglaries

A business owner reported Oct. 25 that over the previous weekend, burglars stole several handbags valued at about $9,600 and took about $1,000 from the cash register. The burglars also caused an estimated $500 of damage to the door of the business in the 8000 block of Santa Monica Boulevard. 

A burglar broke into a business Oct. 29 at about 2:30 a.m. in the 8500 block of Sunset Boulevard and caused an estimated $1,000 damage to a door and cash register. It was not known if anything was stolen, but the adjoining business also had a glass window shattered, causing an estimated $500 in damage.

Someone stole a camera, tripod, batteries and memory cards from a business office in the 9000 block of Sunset Boulevard. The incident was reported Nov. 3 at about 3 p.m., and the loss was estimated at about $8,000.

Home burglaries

A woman reported that a burglar entered her apartment in the 1300 block of Harper Avenue on Oct. 27 at about 10:30 p.m. and stole several pieces of jewelry and belts. The woman reported a loss of about $18,750.

Burglars entered a garage storage unit in the 1200 block of Laurel Avenue on Oct. 29 at about 10 a.m. and stole two desktop computers valued at about $1,500.

A $600 necklace was stolen from a woman's bedroom a few months ago and was found at a pawnshop Oct. 29 in the 1000 block of Orange Grove Avenue.

Burglars broke into an apartment Oct. 31 at about 1 a.m. in the 1400 block of Harper Avenue and stole two laptop computers, gold necklaces and liquor with a total value of about $7,050. Damage to the front door was estimated at about $100.

Thieves stole two plastic drums filled with metals from the backyard of a residence Nov. 2 at about 9 a.m. The loss was estimated at about $500.

Burglars entered a residence in the 1000 block of Hilldale Avenue on Nov. 4 at about 3 p.m. and stole a $2,000 laptop computer and several pieces of jewelry.

Bags stolen

A thief stole a purse, identification, a cell phone and a ring from an unlocked car parked in the 7300 block of Fountain Avenue on Oct. 28. The crime was reported at 8:30 a.m., and the loss was estimated at about $470.

A woman put her purse down near her booth at a bar Oct. 30 and the next day she discovered that someone had stolen her $200 wallet and other personal items. The business is in the 7700 block of Santa Monica Boulevard.

Someone stole an unattended purse from the front of a home in the 300 block of Almont Drive on Oct. 31 at about 11 p.m. The thief made off with the bag containing cash, a cell phone, prescription eyeglasses and other miscellaneous items. The loss was estimated at about $1,450.

Bikes taken

A man reported his $700 bike stolen Oct. 28 at about 3:30 p.m. The unlocked bicycle was taken from an unsecured subgarage in the 1200 block of Havenhurst Avenue. 

A thief stole a $300 bike from a condominium's storage unit in the 1200 block of Laurel Avenue on Oct. 30 at about 9 a.m. 

Stolen vehicle

Deputies located a stolen vehicle Nov. 1 at about 4:30 a.m. after following a LoJack signal. The driver was arrested in the 700 block of Genesee Avenue on suspicion of taking a vehicle without the owner's consent.

Laptops stolen

A thief took an unattended $1,300 laptop computer from atop a table at a restaurant in the 8500 block of Santa Monica Boulevard on Nov. 1 at about 9 p.m. and then fled on foot. The suspect is described as a male African American.

Deputies' Log:

• One male Hispanic suspect was arrested for burglary after being observed shoplifting at a local retail business.
• Following three separate traffic collisions, three drivers were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol.
• Eight vehicles were burglarized causing a total of $3,510 in estimated damage and value of articles taken.
• Three vehicles were stolen.
• Six reported stolen vehicles were recovered and the owners notified.
• Fifteen vehicles were impounded for 30 days for being driven by an unlicensed driver or a person with a suspended or revoked license.