Dodgers pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto's Hollywood Hills home targeted in attempted burglary

HOLLYWOOD HILLS, LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Los Angeles police responded Wednesday morning to an attempted break-in at a Hollywood Hills home owned by Dodgers pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto.

No one was home at the time of the incident, which was reported around 5 a.m. as an attempted burglary, a Los Angeles Police Department spokesperson said.

Private security officers were already at the scene when police arrived at the house in the exclusive Bird Streets neighborhood of Hollywood Hills.

A glass door was found shattered, the LAPD spokesperson said, which may have been what alerted private security to respond.

The suspects, who did not enter the home, were nowhere to be found, according to police.

The Dodgers have been on the road since late last week and are scheduled to take on the Cincinnati Reds Wednesday night in the last of a three-game series. The Dodgers can sweep the series with a victory.

This is the latest in a series of break-ins targeting high-profile sports stars and celebrities.

"The more the resident can make the house look lived-in and occupied at the time with lights, with cars in the driveway, with music playing or whatever, that's the best thing they can do, because some of them will shy away and go next door," said security expert Joe Petrillo.

There has been an increase in home break-ins and burglaries -- a number of them happening in Encino. The incidents include break-ins at the homes of celebrities, but other homes are being targeted as well.

"We've identified a clear pattern, organized crews targeting both residential and commercial properties," said LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell. "The suspects are gaining access by climbing onto rooftops, entering through unlocked windows or simply walking in through side doors."

Petrillo says burglars have become more brazen. They see more and more break-ins when people are inside the home, and residents need to be prepared for that.

"You've got to negotiate with them, put your hands up, say 'Take whatever you want, just leave me alone and go, and I won't bother you,'" Petrillo said.

Police are also looking into South American burglary crews that have targeted the area.

"They use Wifi jammers to be able to disable the camera system and an alarm system if they're wireless, cut the wires if they find those, and be in and out very rapidly," McDonnell said.

LAPD says it is adding additional patrols to the area. They say residents will see more police cars, but there will also be undercover officers looking for gangs.