Los Angeles, CA — Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Los Angeles (spcaLA) asks for your help in identifying a thief who burgled its Los Angeles headquarters at 5026 West Jefferson Blvd in the early morning of September 29, 2016.
“He broke in, despite, or maybe to spite, a sophisticated security system including video surveillance and razor wire,” said spcaLA President, Madeline Bernstein. “It is shameless and cowardly to steal from a charity – especially a local organization like spcaLA, dedicated to preventing cruelty to animals.”
The suspect (pictured right) is believed to be a young male and walks with a distinct gait – possibly a limp. During the course of the September 29th burglary, he wears long pants and sleeves, gloves, a mask, and goggles. He is captured on surveillance footage around 1:35am “casing” a parking structure. Then, he returns near-dawn with tools and fiercely strikes a door until the lock is forced, before gaining entry.
Items stolen or damaged include equipment, tools, and security cameras. spcaLA has been the target of other similar break-in attempts over the course of several months, resulting in costly damage to spcaLA vehicles and structures. Given the pattern and location of break-ins, spcaLA has reason to suspect it is the work of the same thief, or group of thieves.
“This guy is looking for an easy score – attacking things like parking structures and storage sheds,” said Bernstein. “The costs to fix property, increase security, and the time spent away from the fulfillment of our mission are the most damaging and costly aspects of these crimes. If you are able to help us repair, rebuild, and reinforce that which was damaged, please make a donation.”
The thief’s target was spcaLA’s administrative office, which has stood a half-block east of the intersection of La Brea and Jefferson since 1947. spcaLA relies on this facility to operate Los Angeles’ first and finest animal welfare organization, with programs and services including animal cruelty investigations, violence-prevention initiatives, and pet adoptions. No people or animals were harmed in the course of the break-ins.
Donations can be made at www.spcaLA.com or by calling (888)772-2521. Individuals with information about the break-in are urged to contact the LAPD’s Southwest Community Police Station at (213)485-2582.
For more information, please contact Miriam Davenport at 323-730-5300 x233, cell 323-353-4658 or mdavenport@spcaLA.com. Video footage available.
About spcaLA
Since 1877, spcaLA has been the premiere independent, nonprofit animal welfare organization serving Southern California. There is no national SPCA, parent organization, or umbrella group that provides financial support to spcaLA. Donations run programs and services including Cruelty Investigation, Disaster Animal Response Team, Humane Education, and a variety of shelter services.