Police in the US have arrested a man suspected of being behind a series of burglaries at high-end and celebrity-owned homes in Los Angeles.
The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) said the man is accused of stealing millions of dollars worth of items from the homes in affluent areas like the Hollywood Hills, Encino, Tarzana and Sherman Oaks.
Police began investigating 32-year-old Benjamin Eitan Ackerman following the theft of a range of high-value items including jewellery, artwork, wine, clothing, and handbags from a “multi-million dollar home that was listed for sale” on July 22nd.
In approximately 5 minutes we will be LIVE from LAPD Headquarters to announce the arrest of a suspect in a series of celebrity/high-end home burglaries pic.twitter.com/RRJgR9SNO5
— LAPD HQ (@LAPDHQ) January 2, 2019
Investigators said Mr Ackerman had posed as a realtor and later as a home buyer at the home in the run-up to the burglary.
After a search of his home and a storage unit in September, police uncovered over 2,000 items that have since been confirmed and identified as stolen by 13 different victims.
Detectives believe Mr Ackerman has been targeting the homes of the rich and famous in LA for several years.
LIVE: LAPD Announces Arrest of Suspect in a Series of Celebrity/High-End Home Burglaries https://t.co/MzcZf5WxCb
— LAPD HQ (@LAPDHQ) January 2, 2019
Detective Jared Timmons, the lead investigator in the case, said musicians Usher, Jason Derulo and Adam Lambert were among the celebrities targeted.
The LAPD has established a website including a catalogue of all the items recovered and is calling for the public’s assistance in identifying it and any further victims.
They are also calling for anyone who has purchased anything from Mr Ackerman to come forward.
