Rash of Purse Snatching Reported in Crestwood Hills Neighborhood

Broken vehicle windows and stolen purses began being reported in Brentwood's Crestwood Hills neighborhood Monday, April 8. An alert was sent to Patch Tuesday.

The reporting residents said the incidents occurred at Crestwood Hills Public Park and Crestwood Hills Preschool.

One resident she parked her car in the park's parking lot at 10:20 a.m. and when she returned at 12:30 p.m. found her passenger window smashed and purse taken.

School personnel and Brentwood's LAPD Senior Lead Officer Maria Gray reiterate to lock it, hide it, keep it.

This message was broadcast to Crestwood Hills residents on April 8:

Purse snatchers sit in their car, out in front of a school, and watch as you go into the school without your purse in hand.  It only takes a minute.  While you are inside they quickly break a window, grab the bag (which is usually sitting on the passenger seat in plain sight), and then drive away. They are in the Brentwood area and have already taken two purses in the past 7 days.

So repeat after me. Hide it, lock it, take it with you, or Lose it.

Note:  They seem to be targeting cars at the park as well.

If you see anything that you feel is suspicious, but not an emergency, go to www.alertcommunity.com. It allows citizens to document suspicious activity quickly, easily, and anonymously.

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