Overview
- Officers arrested Kevin Diaz, 22, after a Beverlywood hot-prowl that occurred Monday when the resident hid in a bathroom and called 911.
- LAPD links him to about 25 burglaries citywide, including 14 in the San Fernando Valley, across divisions such as West LA, Olympic, Southwest, Devonshire, Mission and West Valley.
- He was booked on a first-degree residential burglary charge with bail set at $50,000, and police say he belongs to a South American theft group.
- Mayor Karen Bass and Chief Jim McDonnell said they surged patrols and added tools like license plate readers and air support after a recent Valley spike even as year-to-date rates there are down from 2025.
- Detectives from Commercial Crimes and Robbery-Homicide are pursuing related suspects, and police asked for tips to the West LA Detective Division at 310-444-1580.