Christmas Presents Stolen Out From Under Tree

It looks like the Grinch has struck again.

Christmas presents were on the list of belongings recently stolen from Brentwood homes in a string of burglaries, said Phillip Enbody, Los Angeles Police Department senior lead officer for Brentwood.

The gifts were wrapped and sitting under a tree, said Enbody.

This holiday season, the LAPD wants residents to take initiatives to keep themselves and their property safe over the Christmas and New Year holidays.

“If you have an alarm, set it and use it,” Enbody said. “Some people are not using their alarms and we definitely need to do that. … No one is immune to these types of crimes whether they are a block off of Sunset or a block off San Vicente or in the canyon.”

Police suggested the following tips to prevent burglaries:

• Lock your doors, including the garage, and all windows.
• Check all doors and window locks, verify they are working.
• Set your alarm.
• Check your house alarm regularly.
• Ensure the alarm has proper coverage.
• Check or install a house security camera system.
• Keep your property well-lit during the evening and early morning hours.

This is also the time of year when people go out and celebrate with alcohol, Enbody said, so it's important to designate a driver and also be aware of other drivers on the road.

“Remember you can still be a victim if you’re doing everything right,” Enbody said.