Los Angeles, Ca
Video captures burglar with large rock smashing into Woodland Hills businesses
Surveillance video captured a man smashing into businesses in a series of destructive burglaries in Woodland Hills.
Early Friday morning, at least three shops were burglarized after a suspect used a large rock to smash his way in.
The break-ins took place around 2 a.m. at a strip mall along Ventura Boulevard.
Security cameras captured the hooded suspect pacing outside the shop windows and peering in. He then grabs a large rock and smashes it through the glass door of Pizza Polo, a restaurant serving Italian and Persian food.
Once inside, the suspect headed straight to the register behind the front counter and quickly grabbed handfuls of cash.
Pizza Polo owner, Mohsen Javadi, said the thief also managed to escape with a stolen cell phone.
-
A hooded suspect used a large rock to smash his way into three small businesses before clearing out the cash registers in Woodland Hills on Jan. 12, 2024. (Pizza Polo) -
A hooded suspect used a large rock to smash his way into three small businesses before clearing out the cash registers in Woodland Hills on Jan. 12, 2024. (Pizza Polo) -
A hooded suspect used a large rock to smash his way into three small businesses in Woodland Hills on Jan. 12, 2024. (The Baker) -
Two victimized businesses — Pizza Polo and The Cake House — seen in a Woodlands Hills shopping plaza on Jan. 12, 2024. (KTLA) -
A hooded suspect used a large rock to smash his way into three small businesses in Woodland Hills on Jan. 12, 2024. (Pizza Polo)
Javadi said he had been operating his restaurant at the Woodland Hills location for about two years without any problems before this incident.
He said he believes the criminal justice system in Southern California needs to be tougher on criminals who target small businesses.
“I think it’s not tough enough right now,” he said. “I think that it should be more tough.”
Following the theft, Javadi said he’ll consider boosting security measures including the installation of an alarm system.
Later on, the same suspect used the large rock to shatter the glass doors of two other neighboring businesses including a cake shop called The Cake House and a café called The Baker.
Inside The Baker, the suspect is seen quickly emptying the cash register before walking away.
“It makes me feel sad because we’ve been working really hard to get the restaurant going after Covid,” said Jackie Rumteen, from The Baker. “It makes me sad that would happen.”
The Woodland Hills burglaries are just the latest in a wave of similar break-ins in the area. Earlier this week, four businesses in Northridge were targeted in smash-and-grab thefts where multiple suspects were caught on camera ransacking the shops.
Although the victims were glad nobody was hurt, they’re hoping the suspect will be caught soon before he strikes another business again.
Anyone with information on the thefts is asked to call the Los Angeles Police Department at 1-877-275-5273.
Southern California remains under an extreme heat warning as residents brace for the hottest day of the week on Wednesday.
“It will be roasty toasty in the valleys, lower mountain elevations and far interior, with highs ranging from 100 to 110 degrees,” the National Weather Service said. The warmest conditions are expected in the western San Fernando Valley.
An extreme heat warning remains in effect for much of Southern California until 8 p.m. Thursday. Forecasters say there is a high risk of heat-related illness for anyone outdoors for extended periods. Heat advisories are also in place for areas along the coast.
“Highs for today: 98 in Ojai, 100 in Ontario. Temecula, good morning to you, 100 degrees expected there. 112 in Palm Springs. Unbelievably hot,” KTLA’s Kirk Hawkins said Wednesday morning.
Residents are urged to adjust their afternoon plans to limit strenuous outdoor activities during the heat of the day, stay hydrated and check in on elderly neighbors and loved ones.
The Weather Service said record highs are slightly warmer than those forecast for Wednesday. As a result, despite the extremely hot conditions, few, if any, temperature records are expected to be broken.
A few degrees of cooling are expected Thursday, but a more significant cooldown will arrive Friday as onshore winds increase.
Afternoon highs are expected to cool even more over the weekend, with below-average temperatures possible in some areas.
A Chino Hills man was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder following a violent incident at a local liquor store, authorities announced Tuesday.
The July 13 incident occurred around 5 p.m. in the 4000 block of Descanso Avenue, according to the San Bernardino Sheriff’s Department, which responded to reports of a stabbing at the location.
Arriving deputies found a stabbing victim inside the store and rendered medical aid until personnel with the Chino Valley Fire District arrived. The victim was transported to Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center, where he remains in stable condition.
While being treated at the scene, investigators said the victim repeatedly stated that someone named Alex was responsible for the attack.
The suspect, now identified as Hayden Alexander Marquez, 30, was located not far from the liquor store and taken into custody, sheriff’s officials said.
Investigators did not provide a motive for the stabbing or detail the relationship between the two men.
Marquez was booked into the West Valley Detention Center on suspicion of attempted murder.
Anyone with information about the investigation is urged to contact the Chino Hills Police Station at 909-364-2000. Those wishing to remain anonymous can call the We-Tip hotline at 800-78-CRIME or submit tips online at www.wetip.com.
An early morning crash involving a big rig scattered cinder blocks across the northbound 101 Freeway, prompting a SigAlert in the San Fernando Valley Tuesday. The incident was reported around 4:10 a.m. when a big rig overturned on the freeway at Tampa Avenue. The crash occurred on a stretch of the northbound 101 that curves […]
-
California4 minutes agoCalifornia DMV orders 11,000 drivers to retake exams due to suspected cheating
-
Colorado10 minutes agoCPW implements voluntary fishing closures on stretches of the Rio Grande
-
Connecticut15 minutes agoConnecticut Technical Education and Career System under investigation by U.S. Department of Education
-
Delaware21 minutes agoDelaware man identified after fatal pedestrian crash
-
Florida27 minutes agoCyclosporiasis cases in Florida, US could be undercounted, health expert says
-
Georgia33 minutes agoCreated in a small Georgia town, a cup has become 1 of the World Cup’s biggest souvenirs
-
Hawaii39 minutes ago
Kilauea eruption’s Episode 51 begins
-
Idaho45 minutes agoIdaho AG warns Idaho renters about growing scam targetting home seekers
