LOS ANGELES, CA – Five men have been arrested on suspicion of burglary or attempted burglary in a series of home break-ins in Tarzana, Woodland Hills and Downey, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.
The LAPD Robbery-Homicide Division announced the arrests Tuesday, Oct. 20. Police said the investigation began after a string of burglaries in Tarzana and Woodland Hills in February.
Detectives released the suspects’ booking photos and, on Wednesday, Oct. 21, additional surveillance video of the five men. Police said they believe the men may be responsible for additional burglaries that were never reported and want to identify more victims.
An arrest is not a conviction, and the allegations remain subject to the criminal court process.
Rear sliding doors smashed in February burglaries
According to police, the suspects forced their way into the homes in Tarzana and Woodland Hills by smashing open rear sliding glass doors. Once inside, they ransacked the residences.
Police said the items taken included jewelry, designer purses, glasses and clothing. The department did not release the number of homes hit in the February burglaries or the dates of individual break-ins.
Two men identified in the Valley burglaries
Detectives first identified and arrested Manuel Nava, 21, of Hawthorne, and Michael Lewis, 22, of Inglewood, in connection with the Tarzana and Woodland Hills burglaries.
Both men were booked on suspicion of burglary. Bail was set at $165,000 for Nava and $150,000 for Lewis.
Three more arrests tied to Downey cases
As the investigation continued, police identified and arrested Brett Bailey, 18, Elijah Smith, 18, and Tonice Davis, 32, all of Los Angeles. The three were booked on suspicion of attempted burglary.
Bail was set at $50,000 for Bailey and $90,000 each for Smith and Davis.
Police said further investigation linked Nava, Bailey, Smith and Davis to residential burglaries in the city of Downey. The department did not say how many Downey homes were targeted or when those break-ins took place.
Radios, jammers and weapons seized
Robbery-Homicide Division detectives served search and arrest warrants during the investigation. Police said they seized hand-held radios, masks, gloves, Wi-Fi jammers, two vehicles, weapons and ammunition.
Police described the items as connected to the crimes. The department did not say which warrant produced which items or where the warrants were served.
Detectives want to hear from other victims
The LAPD said it released the booking photos and the additional surveillance video because it believes the men committed other burglaries that have not been reported. Anyone who believes they were a victim is asked to come forward.
Residents with information can contact Robbery-Homicide Division Detectives Mrakich or Ortega at 213-486-6840 or [email protected]. Anonymous tips can be given to LA Regional Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477.
Citywide burglary figures
Separately, the Los Angeles mayor’s office announced that burglaries in the city are down 30 percent compared with last year. The announcement said the LAPD made more than 100 burglary-related arrests over the last 30 days, including arrests tied to organized burglary crews.
The announcement does not refer to the Tarzana, Woodland Hills or Downey cases, and the LAPD has not said whether the five arrests are part of that count.
Detectives continue to seek victims
The five men were booked on suspicion of burglary or attempted burglary, and police have not announced charges or court dates. The investigation remains active as detectives work to identify additional victims.
