Burglary Spree Hits Santa Monica Shores

By Jorge Casuso

Tuesday, May 18-- A series of burglaries at Santa Monica Shores - one netting a reported $100,000 in jewels and family heirlooms - has raised concerns among residents that security at the beach front towers has been purposefully relaxed.

Santa Monica Police say seven burglaries have been reported in the past two months, when the 17-story, 532-unit complex was in the process of selling for $95 million, perhaps the city's largest real estate transaction. No suspects have been apprehended.

"It appears that entry was by unknown means, possibly a pass key," said Lt. Gary Gallinot the department's spokesman. "People came home and their items were missing."

News of the burglaries spread through the north tower after one of the victims slipped fliers under residents' doors asking if they had been burglarized. Six tenants came forward, reporting similar thefts.

In every case expensive jewelry - including a Rolex watch and diamonds - were taken, the tenant who circulated the fliers said. Nothing was upended and there was no sign of forced entry.

"Some of the people didn't come forward," said the tenant, who asked to remain anonymous. "They're afraid. They don't want to draw attention to themselves."

Tenants reported lax security in the months leading up to the transaction. They complained that surveillance cameras weren't operating, doors leading into the building from the parking garages were broken for weeks and security gates left open for days, tenants said.

Work crews have been on the premises of the rent-controlled apartment complex for months renovating vacated units, which can fetch what the market can bear under a state law that went into full effect Jan 1.

Some tenants suspect the previous owners, a partnership headed by Larry Kates, one of the state's biggest landlords, ignored the reports, hoping tenants - who were offered between $20,000 and $25,000 to move out -- might feel unsafe and leave.

In the final week before title changed hands, some tenants reported offers of $50,000 for vacating corner ocean front units. More than 60 tenants reportedly took up the offer.

"Management knew about it and they did nothing," said one of the victims, who asked to remain anonymous. "It's gross negligence. They deliberately created chaos and shrugged their shoulders and said, 'Whatever happens, happens.'"

Kates did not return calls for comment.

Jane Hall, the new property manager at the Shores, said she was only aware of two of the burglaries and that the security cameras are working. She said the new management is addressing the security concerns.

"I'm investigating a lot of different options," Hall said. "We're going to look at all possibilities. It's a new day dawning and we're going forward from here."