I Witnessed a Distraction Theft Arrest in Burbank

On the evening of September 18, I found myself in the middle of an unfolding story when I witnessed police detain two teens connected to a series of distraction thefts targeting elderly residents across Los Angeles County.

It all started just days earlier, on Monday, September 15, when Burbank officers responded to a theft report. The suspects had approached a man, cleverly distracted him, and then stole his necklace using deceptive tricks. I later learned that this wasn’t an isolated incident.

Detectives jumped on the case right away. Using surveillance footage and tech tools, they traced the suspects’ vehicle. That same car had popped up in several crimes in Glendale, including a robbery targeting elderly victims—eerily similar to what happened in Burbank.

By Wednesday, September 17, everything came to a head. As I was walking near downtown Glendale, I noticed police unmarked units tailing a vehicle. Within moments, detectives observed the suspects as they pulled the same act again—approaching older pedestrians and attempting to steal jewelry through distraction.

Then it got real. After crossing into Burbank, the female suspect jumped out of the car and ripped a necklace from an elderly woman’s neck. Police acted fast. They detained both suspects on the spot. It was alarming to see how fast things happened and how shaken the woman looked. Her neck was injured, but thankfully help was immediate.

Turns out, the suspects were just 17 and 16 years old. It was shocking. Their names weren’t released due to their age, but they were booked on suspicion of robbery. Formal charges are still pending review by the L.A. County District Attorney’s Office.

The whole experience reminded me of how vulnerable our elderly neighbors can be. The Burbank Police Department urged everyone—especially seniors—to be cautious if approached by strangers. If something feels off, trust your gut and report it immediately.

Seeing it all firsthand changed the way I look at those quiet moments in our neighborhoods. Crime doesn’t always come loud—it often comes in disguise.