Three burglars were arrested Wednesday evening by Los Angeles Police Department officers conducting a surveillance operation in an Encino neighborhood.
At about 5 p.m. Wednesday, the thieves smashed a rear glass door at a home in the 17000 block of Quesan Place in the west San Fernando Valley community. They ransacked the home and stole about $300,000 in handbags and jewelry.
Officers who were already in the neighborhood followed the burglars until backup arrived and conducted a traffic stop. Two men and a woman were taken into custody.
The stolen items were recovered and returned to the owners.
The case remains under investigation and will be turned over to prosecutors for consideration of criminal charges.