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Caught On Video: Burglar Breaks Into Animal Welfare Office

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — Authorities are asking for help to identify burglars who have been targeting the offices and equipment of a local animal welfare agency.

A burglar broke in to the administrative offices of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Los Angeles (spcaLA) located at 5026 West Jefferson Blvd., on Sept. 29, spcaLA President Madeline Bernstein said.

"He broke in, despite, or maybe to spite, a sophisticated security system including video surveillance and razor wire," Bernstein said. "It is shameless and cowardly to steal from a charity – especially a local organization like spcaLA, dedicated to preventing cruelty to animals."

The suspect is believed to be a young male who walks with a distinct gait, possibly a limp. Surveillance video shows the burglar wears long pants and sleeves, gloves, a mask, and goggles.

Surveillance video shows him "casing" a parking structure" at about 1:35 a.m., then returning close to dawn with tools and "fiercely strikes a door until the lock is forced" before he gets into the office.

Equipment, tools, and security cameras were either stolen or damaged in the burglary.

The Sept. 29 break-in was not the first at the spcaLA building. The charity has been the target of other similar attempts over the course of several months, damaging spcaLA vehicles and structures. The Sept. 29 burglar is believed to have been involved in those break-in attempts.

"This guy is looking for an easy score – attacking things like parking structures and storage sheds," Bernstein said.

There were no injuries to any people or animals during any of the break-ins.

Anyone with information about the break-in can call the LAPD's Southwest Community Police Station at (213) 485-2582.

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