Five cars broken into near NBC MEDIA...

Five cars broken into near NBC

MEDIA DISTRICT WEST -- Five cars were burglarized on the street

outside NBC Studios in one day, and police suspect the culprits are

an organized group of thieves who have ripped off hundreds of

tourists at the studio.

The cars, which were broken into Wednesday afternoon, belonged to

tourists and were parked on a street outside the studio, police said.

The Orange County-based group believed to be behind the thefts target

tourists at a variety of popular venues throughout the county, police

said.

Cameras, electronics and other items were stolen from the cars,

and police said the group targets tourists because they often leave

such things behind.

The break-ins have occurred in waves throughout the past several

years, and while police surveillance has led to several arrests,

officers said other thieves begin working the area shortly after.

This week’s break-ins make at least 10 thefts outside the studio in

the past few weeks.

Ben Godar