Area plagued by recent ‘knock knock’ crimes




Capt. Joseph Stephen of the Malibu Lost Hills Sheriff’s Station is advising residents to be alert for a recent wave of “knock knock” type burglars.

The City of Calabasas experienced one such burglary attempt in September. Burglars knocked on the front door, but the resident inside didn’t answer. Armed with a shotgun, the resident scared the suspects away. In October a similar burglary occurred in Westlake Village. A housekeeper returned to a home and burglars fled the scene.

Stephen says if nobody answers the door, the burglar tends to go around to the side of the home and look for an open door or window. Once inside they steal all valuables in view and flee the location.

In Ventura County’s North Ranch area of Thousand Oaks, police are looking for three men suspected of tying up a resident inside her home last week. The suspects entered through an open side entrance wearing ski masks and hooded sweatshirts. At least one of the suspects was armed. Once inside they stole jewelry and valuables and fled.

The sheriff advises residents to not open doors to strangers and to keep doors locked. Keep the exterior of your home lit in the evening and park vehicles in a safe place.

Look out for: vehicles driving slowly; parked vehicles which are occupied; unknown vehicles parked in front your house or neighbor’s house; suspicious people walking near your neighbors’ homes that you cannot identify.

If you observe anything or anyone suspicious in your community, call the sheriff’s station at (818) 878-1808. If you wish to remain anonymous, call “LA Crime Stoppers” by dialing 800-222-TIPS (8477), texting the letters TIPLA plus your tip to CRIMES (274637), or using the website http://lacrimestoppers.org.

To receive detailed, up-to-date information directly from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department via e-mail, register for Nixle alerts at www.Nixle.com. Or, text your zip code to 888777 to receive text alerts only. Standard text messaging rates may apply, depending on your calling plan.



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