Wave of Celebrity Burglaries Hits Hollywood
While the first quarter of 2017 has barely reached a close, the wave of celebrity burglaries that has rocked Hollywood this year has netted close to $3 million in stolen goods. The list of celebrity targets is both long and distinguished. Victims include notable personalities such as Alanis Morissette, Nicki Minaj, Kendall Jenner, Emmy Rossum, and Jaime Pressly.
The robbery at Morissette's home is reportedly the largest of the group, reporting a nearly $2 million dollar heist of jewelry. Comparatively, Jenner, Minaj, Rossum, and Pressly were only robbed of a few hundred thousand dollars' worth of jewelry. In many of the cases, the robbers got past security systems and safes.
Knock Knock Robbery
Police suspect that these robberies are due in part to traditional methods, but also in part to the celebrities' use of social media. All of the recent victims were not at home at the time of the break-ins, and police believe that the robbers were tipped off to this fact by social media posts on sites like Instagram and Snapchat. However, investigators do not believe the break-ins are related to each other.
Basically, using social media to post images or updates while you are out and about can be problematic when it comes to home safety. If a potential robber is able to see that a person has updated their social media status with information about being out of town, or even just across town, then the potential robber knows that they have an opportunity.
Police also believe the traditional "knock knock robbery" method was used as well. This common criminal tactic involves a potential robber just walking up to someone's front door and knocking. If there is no answer, they will then break in.
Bling Ring, the Sequel
These robberies are reminiscent of the robberies that occurred nearly a decade ago by the 'Bling Ring' against notable celebrities Rachel Bilson, Paris Hilton, Lindsay Lohan, and Audrina Patridge. The 2008/9 robberies were adapted into a 2013 Emma Watson film actually called "The Bling Ring."
Related Resources:
- Marvel Still Being Sued Over 'Iron Man 3' Infringement (FindLaw's Celebrity Justice)
- Katt Williams Sued for Allegedly Mistreating, Abusing Employee (FindLaw's Celebrity Justice)
- Plot Twist: 'Total Recall' Screenwriter Sues Disney for Stealing 'Zootopia' (FindLaw's Celebrity Justice)
- Roman Polanski Says He'll Come Back to US If Court Promises No Jail Time (FindLaw's Celebrity Justice)