Tag: residential burglaries

SANTA MONICA—The Santa Monica Police Department announced on Monday, July 28 after a long investigation, that they have arrested two people for their role in a series of residential burglaries and mail thefts.

The incidents transpired between April and July 2025. The investigation started on May 8, when detectives were assigned a burglary and mail theft case at an apartment complex located in the 300 block of Arizona Avenue. During that incident, the suspect, later identified as Kyle McCaffrey, 29, used a crowbar to force entry into the building and then accessed community mailboxes using a manufactured postal arrow key.

An arrow key is a specialized key used by the U.S. Postal Service to open centralized mailboxes in residential and commercial buildings.

On May 9, detectives were assigned a second case of mail theft at an apartment complex in the 2100 block of 4th Street. In that incident, McCaffrey and an additional suspect, Hector Quintanilla, 39, used an arrow key to unlawfully access the building and steal mail.

As the investigation progressed, detectives identified a pattern of similar incidents across the city, believed to be committed by the same individuals.

On July 16, with the help of SMPD’s Crime Impact Team (CIT), McCaffrey and Quintanilla were located and arrested in the city of Van Nuys.

During the arrest, investigators recovered evidence connected to the crimes, including the arrow keys.

The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office has filed the following charges:

Kyle McCaffrey, from Lake Balboa

· Three counts of 459 PC – First-degree residential burglary
· One count of 530.5(c)(2) PC – Identity theft

Hector Quintanilla, from North Hills

· Two counts of 459 PC – First-degree residential burglary
· One count of 529(a)(3) PC – False impersonation
· One count of 530.5(c)(2) PC – Identity theft

Anyone with details related to the incidents or the suspects are asked to contact Detective Baker at sean.baker@santamonica.gov or the Watch Commander, available 24/7, at 310-458-8427.

By Danny Jones

STUDIO CITY—The Log Angeles Police Department announced on September 20 that three suspects were arrested in connection to residential burglaries that transpired in the region. The LAPD reported North Hollywood Division Burglary Detectives on September 15 were informed about 3 residential burglaries in Studio City.

Surveillance footage captured three masked suspects smashing rear glass sliders and entering the residences. Once inside, the suspects ransacked the homes and removed property, jewelry, and handbags. The suspects exited the locations with the property and fled in a black 2020 Alfa Romeo Stelvio with a stolen license plate.

Officers responded and conducted the initial burglary investigation and discovered one of the suspects took a designer handbag containing a concealed tracking device. A victim from one of the burglaries tracked their property to the community of Mar Vista and drove to the location and observed a burglary in progress and contacted 911 while the suspects were fleeing.

The officers tracked the device to an apartment complex in Inglewood. With the assistance of the LAPD’s Air Support Division, a tactical flight officer observed suspects attempting to pry open a safe that was taken in the Mar Vista burglary. Authorities contained the suspects within a perimeter and all three were arrested. Officers located the victim’s stolen property, as well as three firearms, that were taken during additional residential burglaries in the San Fernando Valley Area.

The Los Angeles District Attorney filed burglary charges on all three suspects who are believed to be members of a burglary crew that are responsible for approximately 20 residential burglaries in West Los Angeles and San Fernando Valley. Taken into custody were: Vernon Harvey, 22, of Los Angeles; Qwaee Wright, 18, of Los Angeles and Bobby Bolton, 21, of Los Angeles.

The LAPD is still investigating the case. Any additional details can be referred to Los Angeles Police Department, North Hollywood Burglary Detectives Timothy Kirkpatrick and Gus Ramirez at (818) 754-8377. During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (1-877-527-3247). Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call the LA Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477) or go directly to www.lacrimestoppers.org.

By Trevor