Lingerie thief continues to pilfer from apartments

Friday, October 2, 1998

Lingerie thief continues to pilfer from apartments

CRIME: Suspect enters residences to steal underwear, women’s
personal belongings

By Ann Hawkey

Daily Bruin Contributor

Since January 1997, and most recently last week, Los Angeles
police officers have responded to a pattern of several unusual
burglary calls in Westwood, with each victim complaining of a
similar rare offense.

In each of these cases, the burglary suspect enters the
apartment, searches the victims’ belongings and steals lingerie and
other personal items, leaving no mess and little evidence of his
entry.

Missing underwear may initially sound like a mistake, or even a
silly prank, but these burglaries have caught the attention of LAPD
detectives for over a year.

The suspect, who takes only a few items from each apartment, is
described as a 28- to 30-year-old white male, approximately six
feet tall and 165 pounds with green eyes and a thin build.

"He seems to like Victoria’s Secret, but he is not limited to
that," said Detective Charles Dempsey of the West Los Angeles
Division of the LAPD.

"He has also taken a cocktail dress; he has taken phone numbers
and called the apartment; he takes personal items. I think he’s
trying to reach out to them," Dempsey said.

The suspect concentrates on the area bounded by Ophir Drive,
Glenrock Avenue, Strathmore Drive and Midvale Avenue, and targets
older apartment buildings without security systems or new
locks.

The more recent cases of this nature are all being attributed to
the same suspect who may have broken into at least eight apartments
since December 1997.

"We have probably had more incidents that are not being
reported," Dempsey said. "Maybe some girls think the pieces got
lost in the dryer, and some are just too embarrassed to report
it."

The suspect, who is also reported to be a peeping tom, most
likely watches the victims until they leave the apartment, then
enters through an unlocked door, open window or door without a
deadbolt, Dempsey said.

Residents are advised to lock their doors and windows,
especially on the first floor, and close their blinds and drapes
where their windows are in view.

Outdoor lights, especially near the parking lot, as well as
leaving on indoor night lights or the radio can also help deter
potential burglars, said Nancy Greenstein, director of the
community services division of the university police
department.

"People also need to know that if they see anybody suspicious
lingering around, they should call the police," Greenstein said. "A
lot of people assume that someone else called or they don’t want to
bother the police. We’d rather have them call."

Residents have come home to find the suspect in their apartments
on two occasions, and at these times the suspect said he was
looking for a female friend.

The suspect was last seen wearing a brown jacket, a teal and
cream colored plaid shirt, khaki pants, a baseball cap and a green
backpack.

"He acts like a student and he dresses like a student, but all
of these people are saying he looks too old to be a student,"
Dempsey said.

Because the suspect may not be a student, and because the
incidents took place off campus, university administrators have not
yet taken any action in the case.

"We may have some difficulty if these incidents took place off
campus," said Robert Naples, assistant vice chancellor of student
and campus life.

"However, if the alleged perpetrator would be determined to be a
student, we would then look at the evidence available and determine
what action to take," Naples said.

Since the burglaries began to be reported, the LAPD has
increased patrol of the area, and detectives have investigated the
registered sex offenders in he area, but the case has not yielded
any strong leads yet.

If anyone has information regarding the case, Detective Dempsey
can be reached at (310) 575-8441.

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© 1998 ASUCLA Communications Board