Los Angeles Police Detectives Make Two Significant Burglary Arrests in Connection to a String in Pacific Palisades NR14361nv

Los Angeles:  Los Angeles Police Department West Los Angeles Area Burglary Detectives made two significant arrests of two separate suspects in connection to a string of burglaries in the Pacific Palisades Area.

West Los Angeles detectives noted a pattern of residential burglaries in the Pacific Palisades Area.  Each of these burglaries were crimes of opportunity, with the suspect gaining entry via unlocked doors and windows during daytime hours.  The crimes began in August and continued unabated.

The suspect later identified as Jami Burrow, stole various items including credit cards from numerous residents.  Burrow was identified from a store video surveillance attempting to use the stolen credit cards.  Burrow was known in the area as a former landscaper and had ties to the community.

On September 17, 2014, WLA detectives served a search warrant on Burrow’s residence.  The detectives recovered numerous items of stolen property, including serialized items from the aforementioned burglaries.  Additional items of jewelry, electronics, and designer bags were also recovered.  Burrow was involved in numerous burglaries in the Palisades and Malibu Area. Multiple counts of burglary were filed against her.

Burglary detectives have been working on a series of burglaries in the West Los Angeles Area.  An additional crew of burglars continued to prey on residents in the Palisades Area.  This crew forced open doors and windows when residents were not home and removed various items, which most commonly included jewelry.  The suspects were described as approximately twenty male and female African-Americans using a black Kia sedan with no plates.

On September 13, 2014, a suspect, later identified as Drew Gipson, accessed the interior of a residence by wading through a pool that accessed under the house.  The resident found Gipson on the premises and escorted him off the property.  It was later discovered that Gipson had removed some property. Gipson was last seen leaving the area in a black Kia, leaving his wallet behind with some forgotten clothes he had removed while foraging the pool.

Later the same day, Gipson was seen rummaging through a second victim’s vehicle in the area.  Gipson fled prior to officer’s arrival, leaving his vehicle behind.  His vehicle was impounded.  Detectives identified Gipson when he came to WLA station in hopes of a vehicle release and he was arrested for the above crimes.  Efforts to link Gipson to other area burglaries are eminent.

“This exceptional work by the LAPD’s West LA Burglary detectives has made the Pacific Palisades neighborhood safer, and demonstrates to would-be criminals that if you commit burglaries here you will be caught, and you will be prosecuted,” said City Councilmember Mike Bonin. “These arrests are another excellent example of the smart, driven and neighborhood-focused police work that families in LA deserve.”

West Los Angeles police continue to work numerous clues to identify additional crews of burglars in the area.  Even with the arrests of two ominous burglars, the Palisades continues to be targeted.  We continue to work in partnership with the public and other governmental entities to assist us in these investigations.  WLA’s Commanding Officer, Captain Evangelyn Nathan said, “Our community is our strongest ally; we need all the support in securing your homes and reporting the unusal.”  We are asking for the public’s help in providing any information that would lead to the arrest of the suspects who are linked to burglaries in the West Los Angeles Area.

Anyone with additional information regarding these crimes is urged contact West Los Angeles Area Burglary Detective White at 310-444-1522. During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7.  Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477).  Tipsters may also contact Crime Stoppers by texting to phone number 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S on most keypads) with a cell phone.  All text messages should begin with the letters “LAPD.” Tipsters may also go to LAPDOnline.org, click on "webtips" and follow the prompts.