Beverly Hills Burglar Allegedly Took Time to Wine and Dine

Many a burglar has been caught prowling about the gilded enclave of Beverly Hills, but few perhaps as nervy--or as gastronomically inclined--as Orlando Reed.

Reed, 27, was arrested by Beverly Hills police and charged with breaking into three swank commercial office buildings in recent months to steal televisions, VCRs, fax machines and stereo equipment.

Reed has pleaded guilty to those burglary counts, according to police. But he is also suspected of breaking into at least 19 Beverly Hills offices in the last several months. Each time, according to Beverly Hills burglary Detective William Pritchard, he paused to fix himself a bite to eat.

Since Feb. 8, Reed has hit talent agencies, consulting firms, realty offices, a law firm, a developer and even an entertainment producer, Pritchard said.

Pritchard described Reed as boastful about his break-in prowess. Strong and agile enough to scale drainpipes and fire escapes to enter the buildings via high windows, Reed would dawdle in the pantries and well-stocked bars of the businesses he burglarized, Pritchard said.

Once, when confronted by a cleaning lady, he jumped headfirst through a window, landing on the roof of another building, the detective said.

After his arrest, Reed took police on a drive-by tour of the buildings he claimed to have burglarized, Pritchard said.

Reed and his public defender could not be reached for comment. Sentencing is set for April 10.