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2 Encino Homes Burglarized Just Weeks Apart

ENCINO (CBSLA.com) — Authorities are trying to stop a crime spree after they say two homes in an Encino neighborhood were burglarized while the residents were inside.

"I'm frightened. I can't believe it's in this neighborhood," said CeCe Stein, a neighbor, of the latest burglary.

It happened at a home in the 4300 block of Lenai Road between the hours of 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. Wednesday.

Detective William Dunn with the Los Angeles Police Department said two people were watching television at the time and didn't see or hear anything. The incident was being categorized as a "hot prowl" since the residents were home and unaware a crime was taking place.

"Two people were home watching television. While they were watching television, somebody broke into their rear bedroom, climbed into their window, went through their jewelry box, stole their jewelry and then left," Dunn said.

Dunn says the incident may not be the suspect's only crime as just two weeks ago at a home less than a mile away, another hot prowl occurred in the 4600 block of Rubio Avenue. In that case, a couple was again in another room watching television.

"This is a unique [modus operandi]. We don't see a lot of people going into bedroom windows while people are watching television," Dunn said.

In both cases, the windows were slightly open and the crimes happened in the early evening hours.

"We're much more concerned about people who are going into homes when people are home obviously because of the propensity for violence, the possibility that there may be some type of assault that takes place," Dunn said.

The victim of Wednesday's night crime declined an on-camera interview as he said he was too upset to talk about the invasion of his privacy and his home.

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