4 arrested in connection with celebrity burglaries in Los Angeles

In the archival photo of this Friday, September 14, 2018, singer Rihanna presents herself at the first birthday party of Fenty Beauty by Rihanna in Sephora, New York. Image: Evan Agostini / Invision / AP, File

LOS ANGELES (AP) – Four people were arrested in connection with a series of burglaries targeting celebrity homes, including Rihanna, Christina Milian, Private Dodgers Yasiel Puig and Rams receiver Robert Woods, police said Tuesday.

The suspects would be part of a large network of burglars targeting actors, athletes and Hollywood producers, the police said at a press conference. The police exposed the seized items allegedly stolen – including handbags, handbags, watches and expensive jewelry – in the hope that the victims could identify them.

This photo taken from a video provided by the Los Angeles Police Department shows some of the items recovered after the arrest of four people, according to police. Celebrity homes were reportedly targeted for burglary. Items that they believe have been stolen include watches, handbags, jewelry and expensive cell phones. Image: Los Angeles Police Department via AP

Image: Los Angeles Police Department via AP

Police also seized $ 50,000 in cash last weekend.

The ring may have been responsible for two dozen burglaries and stealing property worth millions of dollars, said Lillian Carranza, commander of the LAPD's Commercial Crimes Division.

Other arrests were expected, she said.

The victims were chosen based on messages posted on social networks, tour schedules and travel stating that they would be away from home, Carranza said.

Woods, for example, had his home in Woodland Hills hit Thursday while he was playing against the Minnesota Vikings at the Los Angeles Coliseum.

The houses of Rihanna, Milian and Puig have also been robbed in recent months, said Carranza.

In this archive photo from May 8, 2017, Christina Milian arrives at the world premiere of "King Arthur: The Legend of the Sword" at the TCL Chinese Theater in Los Angeles. Image: Chris Pizzello / Invision / AP, File

In a suspect's home, the police seized a list containing a dozen other targets, including LeBron James and actors Viola Davis and Matt Damon, as well as their addresses, Carranza said.

The thieves, who belong to a gang and their associates, called the operation "a rally" because "they gathered like birds in areas where the rich and the celebrities were," said Carranza.

The crooks would wear buttoned shirts and drive luxury cars to fit in as they searched the neighborhood, and then change into casual clothes, including hoodies, before falling on houses, said Carranza.

After knocking on the door to make sure no one was home, the thieves broke through the door or window and cleaned the master bedroom, stealing money, weapons, watches, etc. . warn the police, said Carranza.

On Friday, police stopped a car in southern Los Angeles for a reason unrelated to burglaries and found a handgun and stolen property, Carranza said.

Tyress Williams and Jshawne Daniels, both 19, and Damaji Hall, 18, were arrested. Hall's mother, Ashle Hall, 34, was arrested on Sunday, Carranza said.

Williams pleaded not guilty on Tuesday for four counts of first-degree robbery involving Rihanna, Puig, Woods and singer Tota Matthew, City News Service reported.

The other three arrested were not immediately charged pending further investigation. They remained imprisoned on Tuesday. We did not know immediately if they had lawyers.

There has been a wave of celebrity home burglaries in Los Angeles and surrounding areas over the past two years.

In 2017, singer Alanis Morissette has had about $ 2 million worth of jewelery and valuables stolen from her Brentwood mansion. Nick Young of the NBA lost about $ 500,000 in jewelry and other items during a burglary in his home in Tarzana. NVG

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