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West LA Open House Burglar May Have Struck In Orange County

LADERA RANCH (CBSLA.com) — A man caught on video burglarizing homes for sale in West Los Angeles may have also struck at a home in Ladera Ranch, according to a local real-estate agent.

South Orange County agent Amy Sims says she came face-to-face with the man suspected of being the burglar in June during an open house.

"It's scary. It's scary that he's out there, and he hasn't been caught," Sims said.

Sims believes he is the same man authorities suspect committed at least three burglaries at open houses in the Benedict Canyon area, the most recent occurring Oct. 7 in the 2800 block of Hutton Drive. Los Angeles police officials say all three burglaries happened during or shortly after open houses were held.

In each burglary, the man made off with jewelry and high-end watches.

In Orange County, authorities say, there have been at least three similar crimes committed recently and detectives are investigating whether the West LA and Orange County suspects are the same man.

Sims said she caught him inside a closet in a home in Ladera Ranch.

"He was crouched down in the woman's side of it, and when I entered the closet, I kind of stood over him a little bit and asked him if I could help him rather abruptly," Sims said. "And at that time, he stood up over me, and I immediately then was fearful and backed up out of the closet and the master bedroom and kind of led him downstairs toward the front door and then just kind of started snapping photos."

Los Angeles police say the man is likely associated with the real estate profession.

RELATED: LAPD: Man Caught On Tape Burglarizing High-End Properties

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