Introduction to the Incident
A 14-year-old boy was being held on suspicion of burglarizing a home in Encino after he was shot and wounded by the homeowner during an early-morning confrontation not far from where a couple was murdered earlier this month during a burglary.
Details of the Encounter
The teen, whose name isn’t public due to his age, was detained by police after his mother reported he’d been wounded on July 17 in a drive-by shooting in South L.A., according to law enforcement records. Detectives say officers were suspicious of the story and found a stolen car nearby with blood inside that matched the description of the getaway car from the Encino home-invasion, which had happened less than an hour earlier.
The Home Invasion
According to a preliminary crime report, the Encino homeowner was awakened around 5:10 a.m. to the sound of something breaking downstairs from his bedroom, moved his family into a safe room, and armed himself with a handgun. The homeowner shouted a warning, then fired two shots when he saw a figure wearing dark clothes advance upstairs, holding what he described as a Samurai sword.
Investigation and Evidence
Security video then showed the intruder fleeing in a black Volkswagen sedan with several other individuals inside. The object the homeowner said was a sword turned out to be a crowbar, law enforcement officials told NBCLA.
Community Reaction and Concerns
On Monday night, more than 200 Encino residents attended a community meeting with police and the District Attorney to discuss their concerns about recent burglaries, and the murders of American Idol music supervisor Robin Kaye and her husband Thomas Deluca. They were found dead on July 14 inside their home on White Oak Avenue. Detectives said they believe they were shot to death during a burglary on July 10.
Crime Trends in the Area
The LAPD said the number of burglaries throughout the City and in the West San Fernando Valley have declined in recent years, and data from the last two months show reductions in the number of break-ins this year compared to the months prior.
Conclusion
The incident highlights the ongoing concerns about home invasions and burglaries in the Encino area, despite overall declines in crime rates. It also underscores the importance of community engagement with law enforcement to address these issues.
FAQs
- Q: What happened to the 14-year-old alleged burglar?
A: The teenager was shot and wounded by the homeowner during the confrontation. - Q: What was the object the intruder was holding?
A: Initially described as a Samurai sword, it was later found to be a crowbar. - Q: Are burglaries increasing in the area?
A: According to the LAPD, burglaries have declined in recent years, with reductions in the number of break-ins in the last two months compared to prior months.
