Two masked burglars fled empty-handed from a West Hollywood home Sunday afternoon after a resident confronted them mid-break-in — while neighbors were having a backyard barbecue just next door in the attached duplex unit.
Break-In While Neighbors Barbecued Next Door
The incident occurred around 1:20 p.m. on North Poinsettia Place (between Santa Monica Blvd and Fountain Ave.) when two Black male suspects wearing masks broke through a window and entered the home. Unbeknownst to the burglars, a resident was upstairs at the time — and neighbors in the adjacent duplex unit were having a barbecue in their backyard.
“We’ve been in the house all day,” one of the neighbors told WEHOonline.
The brazen nature of the crime — occurring in broad daylight while people were home and actively outside in an attached neighboring unit — shocked residents on the quiet residential street.
“I ran down because I thought it was my friend,” the resident who interrupted the burglary told WEHOonline. “I opened the front door, and they knew that I’m here, and they ran through the driveway, saw me, and then they’re gone.”
The suspects made eye contact with the homeowner before fleeing northbound in a black BMW X1 or X2 with a partial license plate beginning with “51.” Deputies from the West Hollywood Sheriff’s Station responded Code 3 to the residential neighborhood.
Deputies Investigating Brazen Daytime Crime
“We responded here to a burglary that just occurred,” Deputy Costales told WEHOonline. “The suspects entered the house via that window, and then just left, because they didn’t know that the victim, one of the victims, were there.”
The fact that the burglars targeted a duplex — with neighbors clearly home and visible in the adjacent unit’s backyard — underscores the boldness of the crime.
“It’s broad daylight, and a residential neighborhood, so it’s a little shocking,” one neighbor who lives four doors down told WEHOonline.
Another nearby resident who had previously experienced a home burglary expressed empathy for the victims. “I can only say it’s a really horrific feeling,” they told WEHOonline. “I can only empathize.”
Suspects Scared Off Empty-Handed
The resident who confronted the suspects was shaken but uninjured. Nothing appeared to have been stolen, as the burglars fled immediately upon realizing someone was home.
Deputy Costales told WEHOonline that investigators are working to gather evidence from the scene. “We’re checking the area for security cameras, possibly gathering a plate, if you will,” he said. “That’s worked by detectives.”
The incident adds to growing concerns about daytime criminal activity in West Hollywood, with numerous brazen crimes occurring in recent months during business hours when residents might typically feel safest. In October, an armed robbery attempt in broad daylight on North Sweetzer Avenue ended when the suspect unknowingly targeted a retired professional wrestler who disarmed him.
Anyone with information about the suspects or the black BMW is encouraged to contact the West Hollywood Sheriff’s Station at (310) 855-8850. Anonymous tips can be submitted through LA Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or online at lacrimestoppers.org.
How long did it take for the cops to arrive?
Glad nobody was hurt and nothing was taken.