Residents of a Playa del Rey condominium complex are outraged after burglars ransacked their building while it was being fumigated for termites.

The break-ins occurred at the Del Rey Plaza on Tuscany Avenue from Dec. 11-13 during the decontamination period, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.

All residents were evacuated and the property was tented for the fumigation process. 

The homeowners association promised to provide 24-hour security to patrol the grounds while they were away, yet somehow, burglars were able to ransack 23 units out of a total of 39 in the building, escaping with cash, jewelry and other valuables while leaving the units trashed and vandalized.

Many victims, including Carol Fontaine, the building’s HOA president, were targeted by the professional criminals. 

Security cameras captured one of the break-ins as an intruder wearing a gas mask opened the front door and began casually searching for valuables.

Fontaine returned to her unit on Friday and found her front door smashed in while her bedroom and closets were completely trashed with all her belongings thrown onto the floor.

“It’s quite devastating for a lot of us,” Fontaine told KTLA’s Chris Wolfe. “A 24-7 security was ordered and patrolling outside and then I got a call from the termite company saying we’ve had break-ins. All floors were hit.”

Fontaine said thieves escaped with many of her valuables including jewelry and ammunition.

“During the [fumigation] process, we had several people that reported lights on inside the building even though we had been told to turn all of our lights off,” said Loren Brown, a resident. “That was the first clue. But we figured we had 24-hour security guards, things were being watched and it’s all okay.”

Many residents are questioning how the burglars could gain access to the building if security was reportedly patrolling.

“We have 23 doors that have been smashed. We’ve got places that have been looted like you have no idea,” Brown said. “Cash is gone, guns are gone. The people who were in here knew what they were doing. They were wearing respirators. This does not feel like it’s an organic thing. This is somehow, to me, an inside job.”

Victimized residents are working closely with law enforcement as investigators gather evidence and leads on the suspects.

For those who may be fumigating their home, the victims said they strongly suggest taking all valuables either with them or housing them in a safe location away from the vacant home. 

Anyone with information on the break-ins is asked to call the LAPD at 1-877-527-3247.

Ski season is officially underway at Big Bear Mountain Resort after the third and final mountain opened to skiers and snowboarders Friday.

Bear Mountain officially opened its slopes Friday, marking the start of the 2024/2025 winter season.

Lifts are now operational daily across all three Big Bear Mountain Resort locations—Bear Mountain, Snow Valley and Snow Summit.

For opening day at Bear Mountain, Chair 7 provides access for beginners, while Chair 9 offers top-to-bottom runs and terrain park features for intermediate and advanced riders. The Coyote Creek and Grizzly Ridge tube parks are also open.

Later this month, Bear Mountain will unveil its new Midway chairlift, a high-speed, six-seat lift designed to enhance uphill capacity and improve access to the middle of the mountain. The lift, scheduled to open in mid-December, replaces Chairs 2 and 5.

The upgraded lift is part of a $12.7 million investment across the resort system, which included expanded base facilities, on-hill infrastructure upgrades and other enhancements.

Highway 330 has reopened following repairs from wildfire damage, but officials caution drivers about unstable road conditions due to loose debris. Travelers are advised to proceed carefully and expect variable conditions as the season progresses.

Lift tickets and season passes are available for purchase, with ticket windows opening daily at 8:30 a.m. Lifts operate from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Pass holders must provide valid identification for pass pickup.

With sunny skies and temperatures in the high 40s to low 50s expected this weekend, it’s a perfect time for snow enthusiasts to hit the mountain, officials said.

Police asked the public for help Friday in identifying a pair of vehicles involved in a deadly hit-and-run crash in Upland last month.

The incident occurred on West 8th Street just east of San Antonio Avenue around 5:30 p.m. on Nov. 30.

Responding officers found that a pedestrian, later identified as 21-year-old Michael Yanez of Chino, was struck by two vehicles that both fled the scene.

Yanez died as a result of the injuries and investigators are still trying to locate the vehicles and drivers involved in the crash.

On Friday, the Upland Police Department released images on Instagram of a white or silver Jeep Wrangler and a light blue minivan believed to have struck Yanez.

Police said that the Wrangler was lifted with an aftermarket front bumper, driver’s side hi-lift jack (near the fender), a black hard top and black rocker guards along the sides of the body.

No further description of the minivan was available.

Anyone with information about these vehicles was asked to call Officer Santana at 909-946-7624 x 2606 or send an email to gsantana@uplandpd.org.