Robbers’ 2 Northridge Jobs Linked to Others

Los Angeles police suspect that the masked, armed men believed responsible for more than a dozen robberies at expensive homes in the San Fernando Valley and other parts of Los Angeles may be the same ones who robbed two more houses last weekend in Northridge.

At least 10 of the robberies have occurred since late May in the Valley--in Sherman Oaks, Tarzana, Encino and Northridge--said Detective Damon Loomis. The others occurred in Beverly Hills and West Los Angeles.

The total losses exceed $400,000, he said.

“Usually, the targets are fairly expensive homes where the people have a substantial amount of jewelry,” Loomis said. “We suspect a group of five or six guys, ex-cons, may be involved, but at this point they’re covering their tracks pretty well,” he said.

Could Be Switching Off

Although, in a typical operation, two men confront the homeowners, members of the robbery team may be switching off, which could account for varying descriptions provided by victims, police said.

The two most recent holdups occurred early Sunday, just after midnight, and again late Sunday night.

In the first robbery, a husband and wife were awakened by two masked gunmen who forced them to open a safe. The robbers tied up the couple and escaped with more than $35,000 in jewelry and cash, Loomis said. The husband was pistol-whipped, Loomis said, but his wife was not hurt.

In the second robbery, two men armed with handguns and wearing masks, gloves and black outfits tied up a husband and wife, left them on the floor, and spent more than an hour in the house. They left with more than $50,000 in cash and valuables, Loomis said.

Alarm Systems Inoperative

Both houses were equipped with alarm systems, but one of them was turned off and the other was not working, he said.

Detective Bob Horowitz said the suspects in some cases may have discovered safes during burglaries, then waited patiently for the residents to arrive so the safes can be opened.

Speaking of the robbers, Horowitz said, “Identification is going to be very difficult because they come in with facial coverings.”