A burglary in Studio City turned violent when a neighbor who confronted the alleged burglars says he was attacked Friday.
The break-in happened around noon while the family was not home, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.
Neighbor Steve Calabro said the homeowners texted him after seeing the crime happening on their surveillance cameras. He then went to the home, where he confronted the burglars as they were walking out.
When taking photos of them, Calabro says one of them sprayed him with a substance from a large canister that irritated his skin. He shared images that appear to show the moment he was sprayed.
The homeowners also shared surveillance video recorded inside their home, hoping it might help identify the people involved. The video shows two people on the first floor of the house. One of them picks up a shoe before both suspects walk upstairs to the second floor.
The two people left through a neighboring vacant property and got into a white car, where a third person appeared to be waiting, according to Calabro.
He says the same house has been broken into in the past and so has the neighboring home. The LAPD has not responded to NBCLA’s questions about that.
“This is the fourth time in this neighborhood. It’s not a question of being scared. It’s a question of being mad,” Calabro said. “These guys aren’t going to get away with this. Not in this neighborhood. When I grew up, it was all about taking care of each other, and that’s what we do here.”
Calabro said his neighbors say they had jewelry stolen.
No arrests have been made, police said.
Since last month, NBCLA has counted more than 30 break-ins that have been reported across the San Fernando Valley.