Burglars hit Westwood businesses in string of 5 overnight break-ins; residents fear rise in crime

WESTWOOD, LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- A pair of smash-and-grab burglars were at large Friday after breaking into five small businesses in Westwood in a string of overnight break-ins, authorities said.

The two masked burglaries were reported at 3:30 a.m., according a spokesperson for the Los Angeles Police Department.

The thieves targeted two businesses near the intersection of Olympic Boulevard and Sepulveda Avenue, and three businesses in the 1800 block of Westwood Boulevard. The amount of cash or merchandise that was stolen was not immediately available.

Residents described the shock of the break-ins.

"We dropped our kids off at school and decided to go get a cup of coffee, and, oh my gosh, what a mess," said Jamie Rosenstein, a resident of Westwood.

In just an hour, thieves broke into 5 businesses, vandalizing property and stealing money. Shattered glass was seen scattered on the sidewalk as impacted business owners boarded up their doors.

"It's pretty upsetting. It's a quiet neighborhood. It's a nice safe place and to see destruction like this for no reason is upsetting," said Andrew Rosenstein, a Westwood resident.

The businesses impacted are popular within the community, including a sushi restaurant and an ice cream parlor.

"I come into this sushi restaurant myself. My family and I, we enjoy it, and it's sad to see what's happened to it and the other stores," said Greg Cole of Westwood.

Now police are searching for the suspects, described as two men wearing ski masks and grey hoodies.

Police detectives planned to review surveillance video from the businesses, the LAPD said.

"People come here, they put in their hard earned money and to see this take place is terrible," said Cole.

For residents of Westwood, Friday's burglaries also cause them to have concern that crime in their neighborhood is on the rise.

"My husband and I walk to get coffee most mornings, so to see this is just alarming," said Jamie Rosenstein,

But Cole had a more blunt assessment.

"It's not a safe area. It used to be," said Cole.