Police Pinch Suspected Panty Raider

It didn’t take Los Angeles police long to get to the bottom of one burglary call shortly before dawn Saturday in Koreatown.

When officers found a suspect walking near a truckload of loot in the 600 block of South Berendo Street, they knew they had pinched the Panty Raider.

A report of a man prowling near a clothesline led officers to the truck, where they found about 30 pieces of women’s undergarments. A short time later, police said, residents pointed out the suspect, who they said had been seen in the area before.

After a short chase, the suspect was caught. Police declined to identify him until he is arraigned on burglary charges Monday.

Although several Berendo Street residents said they have had panties, pajamas and other garments taken in recent months, an unusual lingerie lineup at the scene failed to match any of the recovered bras, panties and girdles with their owners.

“He had apparently also been at it in some other neighborhood,” Police Sgt. Ray Heslop said.