Burglars Targeting Rich Neighborhoods

A string of residential burglaries in eastern Ventura County is probably connected to similar break-ins in Westlake Village, Hidden Hills and Calabasas, detectives said Wednesday.

One or possibly more burglars are believed to have stolen more than $2 million in jewelry from about 50 luxury homes since last November.

The break-ins often take place in the early evening on Fridays or Saturdays, said Det.

Mark Borges of the Lost Hills Sheriff’s Station. Homes are broken into through a back door or window, and often back up to open space.

The homes are sometimes, but not always, in gated communities, Borges said.

Only expensive jewelry is taken while costume jewelry is left behind, Borges said. Rooms generally are left neat and without fingerprints.

Detectives are urging residents in upscale neighborhoods to keep an eye out for new joggers in the neighborhood as well as door-to-door salespeople or people sitting for long periods in cars or vans on residential streets.

Anyone with questions or information about the burglaries is asked to call Borges at (818) 878-1808.