Two men stole an estimated $200,000 worth of items from a home in Toluca Lake on Saturday night, police said.
The burglary happened on Strohm Avenue near Toluca Lake Elementary around 9:45 p.m., according to the Los Angeles Police Department. It’s the latest in a string of residential break-ins impacting the San Fernando Valley in recent weeks, which police are still investigating to determine if they are connected.
LAPD says it appears the duo used a ladder in the backyard to enter through the upstairs window, ransacked the home and took off. They were described by police as wearing all dark clothing, masks and gloves.
No injuries were reported, and the residents were not home at the time, LAPD said.
Police say two people entered an apartment through a side window on Radford Avenue in Studio City just before 10 p.m. Friday. Amber Frias reports for the NBC4 News at 11 p.m. on Saturday, April 18, 2026.
Since April 10, NBC Los Angeles has learned of at least 10 reported burglaries in Valley neighborhoods like Sherman Oaks, Valley Glen, Valley Village, Granada Hills, Porter Ranch, Studio City and Woodland Hills.
Most incidents have occurred after 8 p.m., and the thieves have gotten away each time — adding to the growing concerns among neighbors.
“It just seems like it’s happening all over the place,” San Fernando Valley resident Michael Perez told NBCLA on Saturday. “It feels like there’s no neighborhoods that are safe. It’s like the break-ins are just brazen. They’ll go wherever they want.”
Police, however, told NBCLA that overall break-ins are down compared to last year across several Valley divisions:
- 44% in the Valley Bureau
- 47% in the West Valley Bureau
- 37% in the Van Nuys Division
- 46.5% in the North Hollywood Division
In response to the burglaries, Mayor Karen Bass announced Friday that she would direct police to increase patrols in high-risk areas.